The Story of Numbers: How Mathematics Has Shaped Civilization"Completely fascinating." TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPLEMENT Journeying through time, THE STORY OF NUMBERS explores the history of mathematics to trace the rise of various number sysems in cultures from Mesopotamia to the modern Computer Era. John McLeish reveals how these number systems in turn have shaped the cultures that devised them. From the secrets and the beauty of the Mayan calendar, to Arabaian algebra, the Chinese counting board, from Pythagoras to Newton to Boole, McLeish uncovers the human side of numbers, who used them and how they have shaped our world. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
The Language of Number | 7 |
The Amerindians and Number | 21 |
Copyright | |
18 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
The Story of Numbers: How Mathematics Has Shaped Civilization John McLeish No preview available - 1994 |
The Story of Numbers: How Mathematics Has Shaped Civilization John McLeish No preview available - 1994 |
The Story of Numbers: How Mathematics Has Shaped Civilization John McLeish No preview available - 1994 |
Common terms and phrases
6th century BC abstract Al-Khwarizmi algebra algorithm analytical engine ancient answer Arabic arithmetic arithmetic mean 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 logarithms logic machine mathematicians mathematics Maya Mayan means method modern multiply Napier's nature Newton notation number system Omar 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 theorem things Turing Turing machine unit fractions unknown numbers vigesimal whole numbers words writing written zero