Number: The Language of Science
Product ID: 1532566
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"Beyond doubt the most interesting book on the evolution of mathematics which has ever fallen into my hands."—Albert Einstein Number is an eloquent, accessible tour de force that reveals how the concept of number evolved from prehistoric times through the twentieth century. Renowned professor of mathematics Tobias Dantzig shows that the development of math—from the invention of counting to the discovery of infinity—is a profoundly human story that progressed by “trying and erring, by groping and stumbling.” He shows how commerce, war, and religion led to advances in math, and he recounts the stories of individuals whose breakthroughs expanded the concept of number and created the mathematics that we know today. Review: Simply Astounding - I first read this book as a junior in high school and I'm not sure why I even picked it up. My sophomore year I barely squeaked by with a D in Algebra 2 my first semester and a C the next. But when I began this book, so many things started to click. This book, for me, started the process of unlearning. I took copious notes, I started asking questions in my Trig class-- this book was instrumental in my education. Dantzig told me how I thought, and why math was special. Because of this book, I started reading other math books, and by the time I left my high school I had read every single math book in the library. Because of this book, I got a BS in mathematics-- a guy with a D in Algebra 2! I reread this book just recently and heck, I'm learning all sorts of stuff from it again! Somehow, and I don't know how he does it, Dantzig eloquently explains the history, the culture, and the minds behind the most interesting concepts and the most pervasive subject in the world. And he does it in a way that taught me as a D high school math student, and has taught me again now-- things that my undergraduate degree in math never could. Buy this book and fall in love with it. Review: It puts in historical perspective the development of mathematics. - Mathematics is a 'learned' process, part of man's upbringing. It is not provided by Nature at birth. Most of us in 'developed' societies have laboured in the task of learning Maths. The lucky gifted few enjoyed the learning process and delved further into it. The outcome has become an essential tool to all humanity. The book explains beautifully how this came about over the centuries. The first chapters explain the remote historical part of the development of mathematics. Here is explained how the early development came about; how the various counting systems developed and how they were conditioned by the natural world. This was of special interest as the historical aspect in more remote and its history still need to be updated, in the light of new developments.
| Best Sellers Rank | #643,882 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #90 in Number Systems (Books) #122 in Number Theory (Books) #281 in Mathematics History |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 130 Reviews |
B**M
Simply Astounding
I first read this book as a junior in high school and I'm not sure why I even picked it up. My sophomore year I barely squeaked by with a D in Algebra 2 my first semester and a C the next. But when I began this book, so many things started to click. This book, for me, started the process of unlearning. I took copious notes, I started asking questions in my Trig class-- this book was instrumental in my education. Dantzig told me how I thought, and why math was special. Because of this book, I started reading other math books, and by the time I left my high school I had read every single math book in the library. Because of this book, I got a BS in mathematics-- a guy with a D in Algebra 2! I reread this book just recently and heck, I'm learning all sorts of stuff from it again! Somehow, and I don't know how he does it, Dantzig eloquently explains the history, the culture, and the minds behind the most interesting concepts and the most pervasive subject in the world. And he does it in a way that taught me as a D high school math student, and has taught me again now-- things that my undergraduate degree in math never could. Buy this book and fall in love with it.
C**T
It puts in historical perspective the development of mathematics.
Mathematics is a 'learned' process, part of man's upbringing. It is not provided by Nature at birth. Most of us in 'developed' societies have laboured in the task of learning Maths. The lucky gifted few enjoyed the learning process and delved further into it. The outcome has become an essential tool to all humanity. The book explains beautifully how this came about over the centuries. The first chapters explain the remote historical part of the development of mathematics. Here is explained how the early development came about; how the various counting systems developed and how they were conditioned by the natural world. This was of special interest as the historical aspect in more remote and its history still need to be updated, in the light of new developments.
M**R
So Glad this Classic is Still Available!
Great historical explanations of numbers, number theory, and the people who developed them to give us the mathematics we have today. Great for budding thinkers and inquisitive young minds (12+). This book serves as a great reference to how zero and irrational numbers solved problems and changed the way we see numerical information. My father gave me this book when I was in the sixth grade, and it opened up a whole new world to me. The author's structure allows the reader to select areas of interest or to read from front to back. I've bought copies for my children and now grandchildren, seeing their excitement as major concepts become clearer, making it easier to succeed and excel in school.
G**I
If this is your interest, this book is a classic and will not disappoint.
If you have any interest in Mathematics, this is a book that is well worth reading.
T**Q
Enthralling
Fascinating and useful. Enthralling.
Z**H
Really insightful book
If you’re interested in the history of math, I highly suggest to read this book!
J**U
This is an amazing study into the origins of Mathematics
This is an amazing study into the origins of Mathematics. The book was recommended to me by a former professor believing that because I was going for a BS in mathematics I would enjoy it. He was not wrong. I have not been able to put it down. If you enjoy mathematics as a hobby or as professional, give the book a try.
L**A
Rating for Kindle Version of Book ONLY
I came to write this review to address the Kindle version of this book. I looked forward to reading this book, and from what I was able to make it through, the book seems to be well-written and a good read. BUT, the formatting of this book on Kindle makes it UNREADABLE. I wish I would have decided to return this book during the return window because I simply cannot read it. Just to name a few of the most glaring issues so far: 1) The page numbers are in the middle of the pages, 2) The digital bookmarks for the chapters are missing or out of order, 3) Some of the text seems jumbled, out of place, or perhaps incorrectly transcribed, 4) The formatting/typesetting of the chapter titles and other items is a mess, 5) The tables are a string of unordered text/numbers, and 6) The figures/pictures are completely missing. This is my first time getting a book on Kindle and having it be totally awful. I have read a wide variety of books on Kindle, even some that were older books or which included figures/tables/illustrations, and have not had any major issues. In some cases, I have seen reviews that indicated how bad the book was on Kindle and gladly took those people's advice and bought it in print instead. In the case of the book in question, I did not see any reviews to this effect, so I am taking the time to leave such a review myself. If you are considering this book, please buy it in print instead!
J**W
Five Stars
Excellent
E**U
A nice book
The book contains many different and interesting ideas/theories. Old but definitely still relevant today!
K**E
Buy it
As expected! Fast shipping.
H**N
Very good
Very good
F**A
Muy entretenido (si te gusta el tema)
Comenta (con base a la experiencia del autor), la evolución de la matemática en las personas. Partiendo del sentido numérico y el concepto de número.
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