Math Through the Ages: A Gentle History for Teachers and Others (Dover Books on Mathematics)

William P. Berlinghoff

Fernando Q. Gouvêa

Dover Publications

Product Description 
Where did math come from? Who thought up all those algebra symbols, and why? What is the story behind π? … negative numbers? … the metric system? … quadratic equations? … sine and cosine? … logs? The 30 independent historical sketches in Math through the Ages answer these questions and many others in an informal, easygoing style that is accessible to teachers, students, and anyone who is curious about the history of mathematical ideas. Each sketch includes Questions and Projects to help you learn more about its topic and to see how the main ideas fit into the bigger picture of history.\n\nThe 30 short stories are preceded by a 58\-page bird\x27s\-eye overview of the entire panorama of mathematical history, a whirlwind tour of the most important people, events, and trends that shaped the mathematics we know today. “What to Read Next” and reading suggestions after each sketch provide starting points for readers who want to learn more.\n\nThis book is ideal for a broad spectrum of audiences, including students in history of mathematics courses at the late high school or early college level, pre\-service and in\-service teachers, and anyone who just wants to know a little more about the origins of mathematics. 
 Review 
This is a beautiful and important book, a pleasure to read, in which the history recounted fully illuminates the mathematical ideas, and the ideas themselves are superbly explained: a wonderful accomplishment. --Barry Mazur, Harvard University\n“Math through the Ages” is a treasure, one of the best history of math books at its level ever written. Somehow, it manages to stay true to a surprisingly sophisticated story, while respecting the needs of its audience. Its overview of the subject captures most of what one needs to know, and the 30 sketches are small gems of exposition that stimulate further exploration. --Glen van Brummelen, Quest University, President (2012–14) of the Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Mathematics 
 About the Author 
William P. Berlinghoff, Fernando Q. Gouvêa

Math through the Ages: A Gentle History for Teachers and Others Expanded Second Edition (Ams/Maa Textbooks, 32)

Science & Math

Mathematics

American Mathematical Society

p-adic numbers are of great theoretical importance in numbertheory, since they allow the use of the language of analysisto study problems relating toprime numbers and diophantineequations. Further, they offer a realm where one can dothings that are very similar to classical analysis, butwith results that are quite unusual. The book should be ofuse to students interested in number theory, but at the sametime offers an interesting example of the many connectionsbetween different parts of mathematics.The book strives to be understandable to an undergraduateaudience. Very little background has been assumed, and thepresentation is leisurely. There are many problems, whichshould help readers who are working on their own (a largeappendix with hints on the problem is included).Most of all, the book should offer undergraduates exposureto some interesting mathematics which is off the beatentrack. Those who will later specialize in number theory, algebraic geometry, and related subjects will benefit moredirectly, but all mathematics students can enjoy the book.

P-Adic Numbers: An Introduction (Universitext)

Springer

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Books by Fernando Q. Gouvêa