"Elements of Mathematics takes readers on a fascinating tour that begins in elementary mathematics--but, as John Stillwell shows, this subject is not as elementary or straightforward as one might think. Not all topics that are part of today's elementary mathematics were always considered as such, and great mathematical advances and discoveries had to occur in order for certain subjects to become ""elementary."" Stillwell examines elementary mathematics from a distinctive twenty-first-century viewpoint and describes not only the beauty and scope of the discipline, but also its limits. From Gaussian integers to propositional logic, Stillwell delves into arithmetic, computation, algebra, geometry, calculus, combinatorics, probability, and logic. He discusses how each area ties into more advanced topics to build mathematics as a whole. Through a rich collection of basic principles, vivid examples, and interesting problems, Stillwell demonstrates that elementary mathematics becomes advanced with the intervention of infinity.
Infinity has been observed throughout mathematical history, but the recent development of ""reverse mathematics"" confirms that infinity is essential for proving well-known theorems, and helps to determine the nature, contours, and borders of elementary mathematics. Elements of Mathematics gives readers, from high school students to professional mathematicians, the highlights of elementary mathematics and glimpses of the parts of math beyond its boundaries."
By:
John Stillwell
Imprint: Princeton University Pres
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 235mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 33mm
Weight: 794g
ISBN: 9780691171685
ISBN 10: 0691171688
Publication Date: 31 May 2016
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Primary
,
Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
*Frontmatter, pg. i*Contents, pg. vii*Preface, pg. xi*1. Elementary Topics, pg. 1*2. Arithmetic, pg. 35*3. Computation, pg. 73*4. Algebra, pg. 106*5. Geometry, pg. 148*6. Calculus, pg. 193*7. Combinatorics, pg. 243*8. Probability, pg. 279*9. Logic, pg. 298*10. Some Advanced Mathematics, pg. 336*Bibliography, pg. 395*Index, pg. 405
Reviews for Elements of Mathematics: From Euclid to Gödel
[Stillwell] writes clearly and engagingly... [Elements of Mathematics] can appeal to various constituencies at different levels of mathematical sophistication. --Mark Hunacek, MAA Reviews
- Short-listed for Forbes.com's 10 Best Astronomy, Physics and Mathematics Books of 2017, chosen by GrrlScientist 2017
