The Universal History of Numbers: From Prehistory to the Invention of the Computer

Georges Ifrah

Wiley, Oct 9, 2000 - Mathematics - 656 pages

"Georges Ifrah is the man. This book, quite simply, rules. . . . It is outstanding . . . a mind-boggling and enriching experience." –The Guardian (London) "Monumental. . . . a fascinating journey taking us through many different cultures."–The Times (London)"Ifrah’s book amazes and fascinates by the scope of its scholarship. It is nothing less than the history of the human race told through figures." –International Herald Tribune Now in paperback, here is Georges Ifrah’s landmark international bestseller–the first complete, universal study of the invention and evolution of numbers the world over. A riveting history of counting and calculating, from the time of the cave dwellers to the twentieth century, this fascinating volume brings numbers to thrilling life, explaining their development in human terms, the intriguing situations that made them necessary, and the brilliant achievements in human thought that they made possible. It takes us through the numbers story from Europe to China, via ancient Greece and Rome, Mesopotamia, Latin America, India, and the Arabic countries. Exploring the many ways civilizations developed and changed their mathematical systems, Ifrah imparts a unique insight into the nature of human thought–and into how our understanding of numbers and the ways they shape our lives have changed and grown over thousands of years. "Dazzling."–Kirkus Reviews "Sure to transfix readers."–PublishersWeekly

Contents

• Ethnological and Psychological: 3
• CHAPTER 4: 62
• CHAPTER 6: 70
• Numbers of Sumer: 77
• CHAPTER 9: 93
• CHAPTER 12: 121
• Mesopotamian Numbering after the Eclipse of Sumer: 134
• CHAPTER 14: 162
• Counting in the Times of the Cretan and Hittite Kings: 178
• CHAPTER 17: 212
• Other Alphabetic Numbersystems: 240
• Magic Mysticism Divination and Other Secrets: 248
• CHAPTER 18: 257
• The Numbers of Chinese Civilisation: 263
• The Amazing Achievements of the Maya: 297
• The Final Stage of Numerical Notation: 323
• the Cradle of Modern Numerals: 356
• PART II Dictionary of the Numeral Symbols of Indian Civilisation: 440
• Indian Numerals and Calculation in the Islamic World: 511
• The Slow Progress of IndoArabic Numerals in Western Europe: 577
• Beyond Perfection: 592
• Bibliography: 601
• Index of Names and Subjects: 616

About the author

GEORGES IFRAH is an independent scholar and former math teacher. DAVID BELLOS, the primary translator, is Professor of French at Princeton University. SOPHIE WOOD, cotranslator, is a specialist in technical translation from French. IAN MONK, cotranslator, has translated the works of Georges Perec and Daniel Pennac.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Universal History of Numbers: From Prehistory to the Invention of the Computer
• Author: Georges Ifrah
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Wiley, 2000
• ISBN: 0471393401, 9780471393405
• Length: 656 pages
• Subjects: Mathematics / General; Mathematics / Recreations & Games