History of Mathematics John Tabak Algebra Sets Symbols and the Language of Thought Facts on File

the History Of Mathematics Is A Fascinating Survey Of The Development Of Math Through Discovery, Innovation, Collaboration, And Experimentation. The Set Presents A Compelling Overview Of Myriad Aspects Of Mathematics Using Understandable Language And Appealing Line Illustrations And Photographs. Algebra Is A Thorough Examination Not Only Of How And Why This Branch Of Mathematics Arose And Flourished In Different Cultures At Different Times But Also Of Its Useful Applications In Science And In Society. Author John Tabak Pinpoints The Foundations Of Algebra More Than 4,000 Years Ago In Mesopotamia And Traces Its Progress In Other Ancient Civilizations Around The World, Including The Hindu, Greek, And Arabic Cultures, And At Different Points In History. Mostly Rhetorical In Its Early Forms, Algebra In The Symbolic Form That We Use Today Was Formalized In The 17th Century. Over The Past Three Centuries, Algebra Has Taken Two Diverging Paths: One Toward Increasingly Higher Levels Of Abstraction, The Other Toward More Concrete Computational Methods. Tabak Explores Algebra As An Indispensable Part Of Every Branch Of Mathematics And A Widely Utilized Tool In Scientific And Engineering Research. Algebra Includes An Index, A Chronology Of Notable Events, A Glossary Of Terms, A Helpful List Of Internet Resources, And An Array Of Historical And Current Print Sources. Keyed To Current Principles And Standards In Teaching Math, The History Of Mathematics Set Is Essential For Young Readers Who Require Information On Relevant Topics In Mathematics. school Library Journal gr 10-up-in Uniform But Independent Volumes, Tabak Offers Sustained, Meaty Historical And Methodological Studies Of The Major Branches Of Mathematics. Beginning, In Some Cases, With Prehistoric Evidence, He Traces: Developments In Our Very Idea Of What Algebra Is; The Nature Of Ancient, Projective (including Non-euclidian), And Coordinate Geometry; The Uses Of Mathematics In Finding Precise Ways To Describe Natural Laws; The Invention Of Rational, Irrational And Imaginary Numbers, And The Idea Of Infinity; And Advances In Probability Theory And Statistics. In Each Volume He Analyzes The Insights And Accomplishments Of Many Thinkers, Ancient And Modern, Providing A Generous Array Of Illuminating Demonstrations And Examples While Keeping Extraneous Biographical Details-and, For That Matter, Illustrations-to A Minimum, Then Closes With A Time Line, A Specialized Glossary, And Annotated, Multimedia Reading Lists. General Readers May Prefer To Start With Such Single-volume Histories As William Berlinghoff And Fernando Gouvea's Math Through The Ages (oxton House, 2002) Or Ivor Grattan-guinness's Rainbow Of Mathematics (norton, 2000), But For Serious Students Of The Subject, And Collections Supporting Strong Science Programs, These Make Appropriate Additions To Both Reference And Circulating Shelves.-john Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. Discusses the history, progress, and applications of algebra, as well as its usefulness to science and society, and includes a timeline of notable events. Algebra developed independently in several places around the world, with Hindu, Greek, and Arabic ideas and problems arising at different points in history. Mostly rhetorical in its early forms, the symbolic form of algebra used today was formalized in the 17th century and later. In the past two centuries, algebra has taken two diverging paths. One is toward increasingly higher levels of abstraction, and the other is toward more concrete computational methods. Both paths are greatly influenced by past theories and developments in algebra. Looking closely at algebra, its historical development, and its many useful applications, Algebra examines in detail the question of why this type of math is so important that it arose in different cultures at different times. The book also discusses the relationship between algebra and geometry, shows the progress of thought throughout the centuries, and offers biographical data on the key figures. Concise and comprehensive text accompanied by many illustrations presents the ideas and historical development of algebra, showcasing the relevance and evolution of this branch of mathematics