Looks at the history of mathematical discoveries and the lives of great mathematicians.

The international bestselling author of Fermat’s Last Theorem explores the eccentric lives of history’s foremost mathematicians. From Archimedes’s eureka moment to Alexander Grothendieck’s seclusion in the Pyrenees, bestselling author Amir Aczel selects the most compelling stories in the history of mathematics, creating a colorful narrative that explores the quirky personalities behind some of the most groundbreaking, influential, and enduring theorems. Alongside revolutionary innovations are incredible tales of duels, battlefield heroism, flamboyant arrogance, pranks, secret societies, imprisonment, feuds, and theft—as well as some costly errors of judgment that prove genius doesn’t equal street smarts. Aczel’s colorful and enlightening profiles offer readers a newfound appreciation for the tenacity, complexity, eccentricity, and brilliance of our greatest mathematicians.

This entertaining book presents a collection of 180 famous mathematical puzzles and intriguing elementary problems that great mathematicians have posed, discussed, and/or solved. The selected problems do not require advanced mathematics, making this book accessible to a variety of readers. Mathematical recreations offer a rich playground for both amateur and professional mathematicians. Believing that creative stimuli and aesthetic considerations are closely related, great mathematicians from ancient times to the present have always taken an interest in puzzles and diversions. The goal of this book is to show that famous mathematicians have all communicated brilliant ideas, methodological approaches, and absolute genius in mathematical thoughts by using recreational mathematics as a framework. Concise biographies of many mathematicians mentioned in the text are also included. The majority of the mathematical problems presented in this book originated in number theory, graph theory, optimization, and probability. Others are based on combinatorial and chess problems, while still others are geometrical and arithmetical puzzles. This book is intended to be both entertaining as well as an introduction to various intriguing mathematical topics and ideas. Certainly, many stories and famous puzzles can be very useful to prepare classroom lectures, to inspire and amuse students, and to instill affection for mathematics.

A celebrated mathematician traces the history of math through the lives and work of twenty-five pioneering mathematicians In Significant Figures, acclaimed mathematician Ian Stewart explores the work of 25 of history's most important mathematicians, showing how they developed on each other's work and built the mathematics we use today. Through these short biographies, we get acquainted with the history of mathematics from Archimedes to William Thurston, and learn about those too often left out of the cannon, such as Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, the creator of algebra; Ada Lovelace, the world's first computer programmer; and Emmy Noether, whose research on symmetry paved the way for modern physics. Tracing the evolution of mathematics over the course of two millennia, Significant Figures will educate and delight aspiring mathematicians and experts alike.

Ptolemy's Almagest is one of the most influential scientific works in history. A masterpiece of technical exposition, it was the basic textbook of astronomy for more than a thousand years, and still is the main source for our knowledge of ancient astronomy. This translation, based on the standard Greek text of Heiberg, makes the work accessible to English readers in an intelligible and reliable form. It contains numerous corrections derived from medieval Arabic translations and extensive footnotes that take account of the great progress in understanding the work made in this century, due to the discovery of Babylonian records and other researches. It is designed to stand by itself as an interpretation of the original, but it will also be useful as an aid to reading the Greek text.

Photographs accompanied by autobiographical text written by each mathematician.

Mathematics is considered the most dreaded subject. However it is extremely interesting and one should read about it. Had this subject not been interesting then some of the great physicist, doctors, lawyers, poets, story writers, etc., in their later life would not have turned to study it and made great discoveries in the field of mathematics. While mathematics itself may be a form idable subject for many, the lives and accomplishments of history’s greatest mathematicians are fascinating. This book is intended for people interested to know the heroic journey of those great mathematicians who have made important contribution to mathematics, through their ideaes, teaching or in other ways. The main emphasis is on their work and achievement in the field of mathematics. I hope this book will serve adual purpose: firstly help students realize mathematics is not to be dreaded but helpful in achieving in other subjects; secondly help those who hate the subject respect it. Embark on a journey through the fascinating world of mathematics and discover the lives and contributions of the 50 greatest mathematicians in history. Rajesh Thakur's illuminating book celebrates the brilliance and impact of these mathematical geniuses, offering a captivating blend of biography and mathematical insights. 50 Greatest Mathematicians of the World, Rajesh Thakur, mathematical genius, mathematicians, mathematical contributions, mathematical breakthroughs, mathematical theories, mathematical history, mathematical achievements, mathematical concepts, mathematical discoveries, mathematical geniuses, mathematical principles, mathematical innovations, mathematical pioneers, mathematical influence, mathematical legacy, mathematical revolution, mathematical brilliance