The Mathematical Experience - Softcover

Davis, Philip J.; Hersh, Reuben

Softcover

ISBN 10: 039532131X ISBN 13: 9780395321317

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (Trade), 1982

Synopsis

This is the clic introduction for the educated lay reader to the richly diverse world of mathematics: its history, philosophy, principles, and personalities.

About this title

Review

"This beautifully written book can be recommended to any cultivated person with a certain sophistication of thought, and also to the practicing mathematician who will find here a vantage point from which to make a tour d'horizon of his science."

--Publ. Math. Debrecen

"This is an unusual book, being more a book about mathematics than a mathematics book. It includes mathematical issues, but also questions from the philosophy of mathematics, the psychology of mathematical discovery, the history of mathematics, and biographies of mathematicians, in short, a book about the mathematical experience broadly considered... The book found its way into "Much for liberal arts students" courses and into education courses directed at future teachers. Term paper topics, essay assignments, problems, computer applications, and suggested readings are included. This new material should greatly enhance the usefulness of this very creative book. The range of topics covered is immense and the contents cannot easily be summarized. The book makes excellent casual reading, would make a good textbook, or could easily be used as a supplement to nearly any course concerned with mathematics."

-Zentralblatt Math

"This is a people-centered book about mathematics, and as such it provides an opportunity to explore fundamental issues that are typically absent from the experience of most college and university students (as well as their teachers). This new edition provides an excellent initiation of students into some of the more challenging aspects of mathematics...The study edition of The Mathematical Experience will help its readers acquire a real understanding of mathematics."

-Notices of the AMS

"Two distinguished mathematicians...have written a perfectly marvelous book about the Queen of Sciences, from which one will get a real feeling for what mathematicians do and who they are. The exposition is clear and full of wit and humor..."

--The New Yorker (1984 American Book Award Edition)

Synopsis

Traces the history of mathematics, offers profiles of major mathematicians and their discoveries, and looks at the philosophy of mathematics.

Edition details

• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (Trade)
• Publication date: 1982
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 039532131X
• ISBN 13: 9780395321317
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 440