Who Gave you the Epsilon?: And Other Tales of Mathematical History (Spectrum)

This book picks up the history of mathematics from where __Sherlock Holmes in Babylon__ left it. The forty articles of __Who Gave You the Epsilon?__ continue the story of the development of mathematics into the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The articles have all been published in the Mathematical Association of America journals and are in many cases written by distinguished mathematicians such as G. H. Hardy and B. van der Waerden. The articles are arranged thematically to show the development of analysis, geometry, algebra and number theory through this period of time. Each chapter is preceded by a foreword, giving the historical background and setting and the scene, and is followed by an afterword, reporting on advances in our historical knowledge and understanding since the articles first appeared. This book is ideal for anyone wanting to explore the history of mathematics. This book picks up the history of mathematics from where Sherlock Holmes in Babylon left it. The 40 articles of Who Gave You the Epsilon? continue the story of the development of mathematics into the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The articles have all been published in the Mathematical Association of America journals and are in many cases written by distinguished mathematicians such as G. H. Hardy and B. van der Waerden. The articles are arranged thematically to show the development of analysis, geometry, algebra and number theory through this period of time. Each chapter is preceded by a foreword, giving the historical background and setting and the scene, and is followed by an afterword, reporting on advances in our historical knowledge and understanding since the articles first appeared. This book is ideal for anyone wanting to explore the history of mathematics. These articles cover analysis; geometry, topology, and foundations; algebra and number theory; and surveys. Other topics include the history of the parallel postulate, the development of logics between the two World Wars, the foundation period in the history of group theory, and some new fields of thought in mathematics Analysis -- Geometry, Topology And Foundations -- Algebra And Number Theory -- Surveys. Edited By Marlow Anderson, Victor Katz, Robin Wilson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.