Based on the latest historical research, "Worlds out of Nothing" is the first book to provide a course on the history of geometry in the 19th Century. Topics covered in the first part of the book are projective geometry, especially the concept of duality, and non-Euclidean geometry. The book then moves on to the study of the singular points of algebraic curves (Plucker's equations) and their role in resolving a paradox in the theory of duality; to Riemann's work on differential geometry; and to Beltrami's role in successfully establishing non-Euclidean geometry as a rigorous mathematical subject. The final part of the book considers how projective geometry rose to prominence, and looks at Poincare's ideas about non-Euclidean geometry and their physical and philosophical significance. Three chapters are devoted to writing and assessing work in the history of mathematics, with examples of sample questions in the subject, advice on how to write essays, and comments on what instructors should be looking for.
- ISBN10 1846286328
- ISBN13 9781846286322
- Publish Date 13 December 2006
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 14 March 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Springer London Ltd
- Edition Edition. ed.
- Format Paperback
- Pages 400
- Language English