This book offers a guided tour through the world of mathematics, exploring the beauty and complexity of this fascinating field. From algebra to geometry to calculus, this comprehensive guide is sure to ignite a passion for mathematics in readers of all ages. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

In the first edition of The Mathematical Tourist, renowned science journalist Ivars Peterson took readers on an unforgettable tour through the sometimes bizarre, but always fascinating, landscape of modern mathematics. Now the journey continues in a new, updated edition that includes all the latest information on mathematical proofs, fractals, prime numbers, and chaos, as well as new material on * the relationship between mathematical knots and DNA * how computers based on quantum logic can significantly speed up the factoring of large composite numbers * the relationship between four-dimensional geometry and physical theories of the nature of matter * the application of cellular automata models to social questions and the peregrinations of virtual ants * a novel mathematical model of quasicrystals based on decagon-shaped tiles Blazing a trail through rows of austere symbols and dense lines of formulae, Peterson explores the central ideas behind the work of professional mathematicians-- how and where their pieces of the mathematical puzzle fit in, the sources of their ideas, their fountains of inspiration, and the images that carry them from one discovery to another.

This book contains all 344 problems that were originally published in the 19th century journal, The Mathematical Visitor, classified by subject. Little-known to most mathematicians today, these problems represent lost treasure from mathematical antiquity. All solutions that were originally published in the journal are also included.

Excerpt from The Mathematical Visitor, 1877-1881, Vol. 1 In England and Europe periodical publications have contributed much to the diffusion of mathematical learning, and some of the greatest scientific characters of those countries commenced their mathematical career by solving the problems preposed in such works. It was stated nearly three-quarters of a century ago that the learned Dr. Hutton declared that the Ladies' Diary had produced more mathematicians in England than all the mathematical authors in that kingdom. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.