The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (Penguin reference) - Softcover

Daintith, John; Nelson, R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140511199 ISBN 13: 9780140511192

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd., London, 1989

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.

About this title

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd., London
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0140511199
• ISBN 13: 9780140511192
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 350