Mathematical Recreations And Problems Of Past And Present Times

The following pages contain an account of certain mathematicalrecreations, problems, and speculations of past and present times. Ihasten to add that the conclusions are of no practical use, and mostof the results are not new. If therefore the reader proceeds further heis at least forewarned.At the same time I think I may assert that many of the diversions-particularly those in the latter half of the book-are interesting, nota few are associated with the names of distinguished mathematicians, while hitherto several of the memoirs quoted have not been easily accessibleto English readers

The following pages contain an account of certain mathematical recreations, problems, and speculations of past and present times. I hasten to add that the conclusions are of no practical use, and most of the results are not new. If therefore the reader proceeds further he is at least forewarned.At the same time I think I may assert that many of the diversions-particularly those in the latter half of the book-are interesting, not a few are associated with the names of distinguished mathematicians, while hitherto several of the memoirs quoted have not been easily accessible to English readers.

This book contains around 80 articles on major writings in mathematics published between 1640 and 1940. All aspects of mathematics are covered: pure and applied, probability and statistics, foundations and philosophy. Sometimes two writings from the same period and the same subject are taken together. The biography of the author(s) is recorded, and the circumstances of the preparation of the writing are given. When the writing is of some lengths an analytical table of its contents is supplied. The contents of the writing is reviewed, and its impact described, at least for the immediate decades. Each article ends with a bibliography of primary and secondary items. First book of its kind Covers the period 1640-1940 of massive development in mathematics Describes many of the main writings of mathematics Articles written by specialists in their field