Symmetry

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Princeton University Press, 1952 - Art - 168 pages

Symmetry is a classic study of symmetry in mathematics, the sciences, nature, and art from one of the twentieth century's greatest mathematicians. Hermann Weyl explores the concept of symmetry beginning with the idea that it represents a harmony of proportions, and gradually departs to examine its more abstract varieties and manifestations—as bilateral, translatory, rotational, ornamental, and crystallographic. Weyl investigates the general abstract mathematical idea underlying all these special forms, using a wealth of illustrations as support. Symmetry is a work of seminal relevance that explores the great variety of applications and importance of symmetry.

 

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Contents

Bilateral Symmetry
3
Translatory rotational and related symmetries
41
Ornamental symmetry
83
Crystals The general mathematical idea of symmetry
119
Determination of all finite groups of proper rotations in 3space
149
Inclusion of improper rotations
155
Acknowledgments
157
Index
161
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About the author (1952)

Hermann Weyl (1885–1955) was one of the twentieth century's most important mathematicians, and a key figure in the development of quantum physics and general relativity. He was a member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and the author of many books.

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