Intended for juniors and seniors majoring in mathematics, as well as anyone pursuing independent study, this book traces the historical development of four different mathematical concepts by presenting readers with the original sources. Each chapter showcases a masterpiece of mathematical achievement, anchored to a sequence of selected primary sources. The authors examine the interplay between the discrete and continuous, with a focus on sums of powers. They then delineate the development of algorithms by Newton, Simpson and Smale. Next they explore our modern understanding of curvature, and finally they look at the properties of prime numbers. The book includes exercises, numerous photographs, and an annotated bibliography.
- ISBN13 9780387330617
- Publish Date 14 August 2007
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
- Edition 2007 ed.
- Format Paperback
- Pages 340
- Language English