Overview
Mathematics often seems incomprehensible, a melee of strange symbols thrown down on a page. But while formulae, theorems, and proofs can involve highly complex concepts, the math becomes transparent when viewed as part of a bigger picture. What Is a Number? provides that picture. Robert Tubbs examines how mathematical concepts like number, geometric truth, infinity, and proof have been employed by artists, theologians, philosophers, writers, and cosmologists from ancient times to the modern era. Looking at a broad range of topics-from Pythagoras's exploration of the connection between harmonious sounds and mathematical ratios to the understanding of time in both Western and pre-Columbian thought-Tubbs ties together seemingly disparate ideas to demonstrate the relationship between the sometimes elusive thought of artists and philosophers and the concrete logic of mathematicians. He complements his textual arguments with diagrams and illustrations. This historic and thematic study refutes the received wisdom that mathematical concepts are esoteric and divorced from other intellectual pursuits-revealing them instead as dynamic and intrinsic to almost every human endeavor.
Full Product Details
Author: Robert Tubbs (University of Colorado at Boulder)
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Imprint: Johns Hopkins University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.20cm
, Height: 2.60cm
, Length: 22.90cm
Weight: 0.544kg
ISBN: 9780801890178
ISBN 10: 0801890179
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 26 March 2009
Recommended Age: From 13 To 17
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Awaiting stock
The supplier is currently out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you and placed on backorder. Once it does come back in stock, we will ship it out for you.
Reviews
<p>I recommend this book for teachers and college students interested in the role mathematics play in answering the big 'Whys?' of life.--Vicki Schell Mathematics Teacher (01/01/2010)
A very unusual book!... Every chapter offers a refreshing wealth of surprising connections, gently nudging readers to expand and assimilate their growing understanding of mathematics and its role in society... Highly recommended. Choice 2009 I recommend this book for teachers and college students interested in the role mathematics play in answering the big 'Whys?' of life. -- Vicki Schell Mathematics Teacher 2010
<p>I recommend this book for teachers and college students interested in the role mathematics play in answering the big 'Whys?' of life.--Vicki Schell Mathematics Teacher (01/01/0001)
Author Information
Robert Tubbs is an associate professor of mathematics at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the coauthor of Making Transcendence Transparent: An Intuitive Approach to Classical Transcendental Number Theory.
