Invitation to mathematics

Bibliographic Information

Invitation to mathematics

Konrad Jacobs

Princeton University Press, c1992

  • : hard

Other Title

Resultate

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Note

"Originally published as Resultate : Ideen und Entwicklungen in der Mathematik, Band 1, Proben mathematischen Denkens, Vieweg Publishers, Braunschweig/Wiesbaden, 1987" -- T.p. verso

Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Based on a course designed for philosophy students, this book is an informal introduction to mathematical thinking. The work will be rewarding not only for philosophers concerned with mathematical questions but also for serious amateur mathematicians with an interest in the "frontiers" as well as the foundations of mathematics. In what might be termed a sampler of the discipline, Konrad Jacobs discusses an unusually wide range of topics, including such items of contemporary interest as knot theory, optimization theory and dynamical systems. Using Euclidean geometry and algebra to introduce the mathematical mode of thought, the author then turns to recent developments. In the process he offers what he calls a "Smithsonian of mathematical showpieces": the five Platonic Solids, the Mobius Strip, the Cantor Discontinuum, the Peano Curve, Reidemeister's Knot Table, the plane ornaments, Alexander's Horned Sphere, and Antoine's Necklace. The treatments of geometry and algebra are followed by a chapter on induction and one on optimization, game theory and mathematical economics. The chapter on topology includes a discussion of topological spaces and continuous mappings, curves and knots, E

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details
  • NCID
    BA18339728
  • ISBN
    • 0691085676
  • LCCN
    91019263
  • Country Code
    us
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Original Language Code
    ger
  • Place of Publication
    Princeton, N.J.
  • Pages/Volumes
    xi, 247 p.
  • Size
    25 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
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