The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (Penguin reference) - Softcover

Daintith, John; Nelson, R.

 
9780140511192: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (Penguin reference)

Synopsis

This dictionary, up to and including first-year university level, covers pure mathematics, statistics, probability theory, information theory, game theory, cybernetics logic and applied mathematics. In addition, a number of short biographies of major mathematicians are given.

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Review

'A first-class job ... Buy yourself a copy at once' Bulletin of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications

From the Publisher

Some sample entries:

BISECT

To divide into two equal parts. For instance, bisection of an angle involves drawing a line through the vertex that cuts the angle in half. A point, line, plane, etc. that bisects something is a bisector.

The point that bisects the line segment joining two other points is called their midpoint. If their position vectors are a and b, the midpoint has position vector ½ (a + b).

SHANKS, WILLIAM (1812-82)

English mathematician noted for his calculation in 1873 of the first 707 places of Pi. It was shown in 1946 that he made a mistake and that the values from the 528th position were incorrect.

COMBINATORICS

The branch of mathematics involved in the study of discrete objects - those where continuity plays no role. Enumeration and graph theory are important examples of areas of combinatorics. The topic has applications in many branches of science, especially computer science.

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