Items related to Visions of Infinity: The Great Mathematical Problems
Synopsis
It is one of the wonders of mathematics that, for every problem mathematicians solve, another awaits to perplex and galvanize them. Some of these problems are new, while others have puzzled and bewitched thinkers across the ages. Such challenges offer a tantalizing glimpse of the field’s unlimited potential, and keep mathematicians looking toward the horizons of intellectual possibility.
In Visions of Infinity, celebrated mathematician Ian Stewart provides a fascinating overview of the most formidable problems mathematicians have vanquished, and those that vex them still. He explains why these problems exist, what drives mathematicians to solve them, and why their efforts matter in the context of science as a whole. The three-century effort to prove Fermat’s last theoremfirst posited in 1630, and finally solved by Andrew Wiles in 1995led to the creation of algebraic number theory and complex analysis. The Poincaré conjecture, which was cracked in 2002 by the eccentric genius Grigori Perelman, has become fundamental to mathematicians’ understanding of three-dimensional shapes. But while mathematicians have made enormous advances in recent years, some problems continue to baffle us. Indeed, the Riemann hypothesis, which Stewart refers to as the Holy Grail of pure mathematics,” and the P/NP problem, which straddles mathematics and computer science, could easily remain unproved for another hundred years.
An approachable and illuminating history of mathematics as told through fourteen of its greatest problems,Visions of Infinity reveals how mathematicians the world over are rising to the challenges set by their predecessorsand how the enigmas of the past inevitably surrender to the powerful techniques of the present.
In Visions of Infinity, celebrated mathematician Ian Stewart provides a fascinating overview of the most formidable problems mathematicians have vanquished, and those that vex them still. He explains why these problems exist, what drives mathematicians to solve them, and why their efforts matter in the context of science as a whole. The three-century effort to prove Fermat’s last theoremfirst posited in 1630, and finally solved by Andrew Wiles in 1995led to the creation of algebraic number theory and complex analysis. The Poincaré conjecture, which was cracked in 2002 by the eccentric genius Grigori Perelman, has become fundamental to mathematicians’ understanding of three-dimensional shapes. But while mathematicians have made enormous advances in recent years, some problems continue to baffle us. Indeed, the Riemann hypothesis, which Stewart refers to as the Holy Grail of pure mathematics,” and the P/NP problem, which straddles mathematics and computer science, could easily remain unproved for another hundred years.
An approachable and illuminating history of mathematics as told through fourteen of its greatest problems,Visions of Infinity reveals how mathematicians the world over are rising to the challenges set by their predecessorsand how the enigmas of the past inevitably surrender to the powerful techniques of the present.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Ian Stewart is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics and active researcher at the University of Warwick. The author of many books on mathematics, he lives in Coventry, England.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherBasic Books
- Publication date2013
- ISBN 10 0465022405
- ISBN 13 9780465022403
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages340
Buy New
View this item
£ 16.66
£ 58.91 shipping from U.S.A. to United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds
Search results for Visions of Infinity: The Great Mathematical Problems
Stock Image
Visions of Infinity: The Great Mathematical Problems
Published by
Basic Books (edition 1), 2013
ISBN 10: 0465022405
ISBN 13: 9780465022403
Used
Hardcover
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. 1. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported. Seller Inventory # 0465022405-11-1
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Visions of Infinity : The Great Mathematical Problems
Published by
Basic Books, 2013
ISBN 10: 0465022405
ISBN 13: 9780465022403
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. 1st Edition. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 3987832-6
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Visions of Infinity : The Great Mathematical Problems
Published by
Basic Books, 2013
ISBN 10: 0465022405
ISBN 13: 9780465022403
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 6484151-6
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Visions of Infinity : The Great Mathematical Problems
Published by
Basic Books, 2013
ISBN 10: 0465022405
ISBN 13: 9780465022403
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. 1st Edition. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 5883359-6
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Visions of Infinity: The Great Mathematical Problems
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Missing dust jacket; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.35. Seller Inventory # G0465022405I4N01
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Visions of Infinity: The Great Mathematical Problems
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.35. Seller Inventory # G0465022405I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Visions of Infinity: The Great Mathematical Problems
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.35. Seller Inventory # G0465022405I4N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Visions of Infinity: The Great Mathematical Problems
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.35. Seller Inventory # G0465022405I3N10
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Visions of Infinity: The Great Mathematical Problems
Published by
Basic Books, New York, 2013
ISBN 10: 0465022405
ISBN 13: 9780465022403
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Abacus Bookshop, Pittsford, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. 1st. 8vo, 340 pp. Nearly fine copy in nearly fine dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 092172
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Visions of Infinity The Great
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00085055976
Quantity: 3 available