NumberA fascinating journey through time and space that traces the immense variety of mathematical concepts throughout world history--from the cradle of civilization in Mesopotamia to ancient China and classical Greece into the computer age. Stylishly written and grounded in human drama behind mathematics, Number makes this complex subject accessible and fun to read about. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
The Language of Number | 7 |
The Amerindians and Number | 21 |
Copyright | |
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abstract Al-Khwarizmi algebra algorithm analytical engine ancient answer Arabic arithmetic arithmetic mean astronomical astronomy Babbage Babbage's Babylonian Bacon base binary calculation calendar century BC Chinese Chinese mathematics Christian civilisation counting culture decimal system developed Diophantus divided division divisors Egyptian equal equation example fact fingers geometry Greek human ideas Incas indeterminate equation invented Jewish kind knowledge known kosher language large number levirate marriage logarithms logic machine mathematicians mathematics Maya Mayan means method modern multiply Napier's nature Newton notation number system operations original orlah papyrus piece practical priests problem Pythagoras quadratic quipu recognised remainder result Rhind papyrus root rules sacred scholars scientific scientists sequence sexagesimal solution solve square sticks subtraction Sumerian symbols tally tally sticks Talmud terumah things Turing Turing machine unit fractions unknown numbers vigesimal whole numbers words writing written zero