The Britannica Guide To The History Of Mathematics

Traces the origins and development of arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and calculus from the ancient civilizations to the present.

Communication and, indeed, our comprehension of the world in general are largely ordered by the number and measurement systems that have arisen over time. This book delves into the history of mathematical reasoning and the progression of numerical thought around the world. With detailed biographies of seminal thinkers and theorists, readers develop a sophisticated understanding of some of the most fundamental arithmetical concepts as well as the individuals who established them.

Examines the history of analysis and calculus, including the geniuses of invention and theory, the practical applications of the math, and explanations of the major topics.

The dynamism of the natural world means that it is constantly changing, sometimes rapidly, sometimes gradually. By mathematically interpreting the continuous change that characterizes so many natural processes, analysis and calculus have become indispensable to bridging the divide between mathematics and the sciences. This comprehensive volume examines the key concepts of calculus, providing students with a robust understanding of integration and differentiation. Biographies of important figures will leave readers with an increased appreciation for the sometimes competing theories that informed the early history of the field.

Offers an overview of the development of numbers, their expression in mathematics and measurement, and profiles of the visionaries who saw order amidst the numbers.

By observing patterns and repeated behaviors, mathematicians have devised calculations to significantly reduce human potential for error. This volume introduces the historical and mathematical basis of statistics and probability as well as their application to everyday situations. Readers will also meet the prominent thinkers who advanced the field and established a numerical basis for prediction.

Arithmetic factors into our lives on a daily basis, so it's hard to imagine a world without the six basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, raising to powers, and finding roots. Readers will get a solid overview of arithmetic, while offering useful examples of how they are used in routine activities, such as social media applications. It reinforces Common Core math standards, including understanding basic math concepts and how they apply to students' daily lives and challenges. A history of arithmetic helps provide a contextual framework for the course of its development and the practical needs that drove its use.

Examines the history of probability and statistics, including the geniuses of invention and theory, the practical applications of the math, and explanations of the major topics.