How to Appreciate the Power and Beauty of Mathematics

books:


	• Journey through Genius: Great Theorems of Mathematics William Dunham Wiley, 1990 - 320 pages average customer review:based on 69 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Just a pleasure to read. Truly inspiring.

This is my third read of Dunham's Journey Through Genius and I am still learning new stuff from this book. The author has hit upon just the right blend of math and history to make this a gem. There is enough mathematical rigor here to not render the work banal and as just another "popular math" book. Reading this book I am reminded of Kline's Mathematics And The Physical World except that this text is less wordy and more focussed on seventeen landmarks of mathematics.

Some theorems and proofs I have to read four or five times to really get the ideas behind them but the effort is worthwhile.

If you want to make your 2005 summer reading more rewarding and challenging than usual get this book. I have had this volume since 1992 and feed upon it at least twice a year. My guess is this book will become a classic if it has not already. A jewel that will become a true friend.

for more information click here

The BEST Book I Ever Read On Mathematics

There are lots and lots of books written on mathematics claiming to target mass audience and containing none to negligible real "mathematics". Yeah, I'm talking about those funny stupid books which keeps talking about math for 400 pages but shy away from putting one real equation or proof. Well, this book is different and if you ask me, it's the best book on mathematics I've came across so far. It's the collection of some of the cleverest not-too-obvious theorems derived from the scratch with really fluid explanation and plenty of diagrams. One of the coolest thing about this book is that it first gives you a historical preview of the problem which is usually gets really interesting and pretty fun to read, specially all those tid-bits about the people involved. So by the time you reach to the proof, you know why it was a hard to do thing and you can fully appreciate the clever twists and turns in the proof. You can literally enjoy it like some murder mystery thriller. The book is written with loads and loads of infectious passion for mathematics. If this is the way math textbooks are written, there would have been far more people with passion, love and deeper understanding of mathematics.

for more information click here

Very good

This was my introduction to some of the rare geniuses of Mathematics, I was fascinated with the likes of Issac Newton and some of the others I was just learning about. The basic concept in to highlight some of the greater theorys that scholars could rack there brains on. I'm a FEMALE ... never to comprhensible in the feild but none the less recognize the beauty and prosperity of mathematics, great introduction;

How to Appreciate the Power and Beauty of Mathematics

+++++

A highlight of this easy-to-read book, by Dr. William Dunham, is that it explores twelve "great theorems of mathematics" that have occurred throughout history. (A theorem is a statement or proposition that is proved by logical reasoning from given facts and justifiable assumptions.) Dunham calls the theorems he explores "mathematical masterpieces" or "mathematical landmarks." He tries to get the reader to appreciate the "creativity" evident in them.

Four of the theorems presented were formulated in very ancient times. (For example, two were formulated circa 300 BC.) One was formulated in the first century, another was formulated in the sixteenth century, and two each were formulated in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries respectively.

What factors influenced Dunham to choose his particular theorems that "represent the best of mathematics" or what he calls the "Mona Lisas or Hamlets of mathematics?" Answer: (1) the theorems had to be insightful (2) they had to be formulated from history's leading mathematicians and (3) they had to be important (that is they had to resolve long-standing problems in mathematics or generate even more profound future questions).

The theorems themselves come from different branches of mathematics, that is, a variety are presented. As Dunham states: "The propositions of [this] book come from the realms of plane geometry, algebra, number theory, analysis, and [set theory]."

In general, to understand these theorems requires high school algebra and geometry. Some trigonometry and elementary integral calculus would also be useful.

However, this book is much more than just theorems. It details the history of important events in mathematics and puts these theorems in historical context. As well biographical information is given not only of those who created these "great theorems" but of other significant geniuses whose mathematical insight was essential to the development of these theorems. At the end of each chapter is an "Epilogue," usually addressing an issue raised by a great theorem.

A main feature of this book is that some of the actual writings of those who created the theorems are included or the actual writings of those who observed these geniuses are included. Here is one of my favorites from an observer:

"He always kept close to his studyes, very rarely went a visiting, & had a few Visiters...I never knew him [to] take any Recreation or Pastime, either in Riding out or to take ye Air, Walking, Bowling, or any other Exercise whatever, Thinking of Hours lost, that was not spent in his studyes...He very rarely went to Dine in ye Hall...& then, if He has not been minded, would go very carelessly, with Shoes down at Heels, Stockins untiy'd...& his Head scarcely comb'd."

Illustrations can be found throughout this book. They greatly aid the discussion.

Finally, mathematician and philosopher Bertrand Russell once said:

"Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty-a beauty cold and austere, like that of sculpture, without appeal to any part of our weaker nature, without the...trappings of painting or music, yet sublimely pure, and capable of stern perfection such as the greatest art can show."

This was my reaction to the great theorems in this book. I also experienced a sense of personal satisfaction that I could comprehend the works of these masters!

(first published 1990; preface; acknowledgements; 12 chapters; main narrative of 285 pages; afterword; notes; references; index)

+++++

for more information click here

The Perfect Blend of Math and History

From Hippocrates' quadrature of the lune and Euclid's proof of the Pythagorean theorem up through Cantor's set theory, this is a dazzling voyage following the progress of mathematics and logic over the span of 2,500 years. Dunham strikes the perfect balance between history and the math itself, providing numerous examples of the theorems he presents. While a high school level of math knowledge is all that is needed on the part of the reader, this isn't a "dumbed-down" book as is sometimes the case with modern books on math aimed at the general population. Besides being quite informative, it was a very enjoyable read that kept me up too late on several nights.

Perhaps the greatest praise I can give this book is the greatest praise I could give to any book, that is, I definitely plan to read it again in the future.

for more information click here

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, page 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

hot

not?

What's your opinion?

Write a review and share your thoughts!

search for books
journey through, genius, great, journey, mathematics, theorems, through

Impressum / about us