History of Mathematics an Intro - Hardcover

Burton, David M

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0697068552 ISBN 13: 9780697068552

Publisher: Brown (William C.) Co ,U.S., 1985

Synopsis

This text is designed for the junior/senior mathematics major who intends to teach mathematics in high school or college. It concentrates on the history of those topics typically covered in an undergraduate curriculum or in elementary schools or high schools. At least one year of calculus is a prerequisite for this course. This book contains enough material for a 2 semester course but it is flexible enough to be used in the more common 1 semester course.

About this title

From the Publisher

Approach: The author has given a reasonably full account of how mathematics has developed over the past 5000 years. Because mathematics is one of the oldest intellectual instruments, it has a long story, interwoven with striking personalities and outstanding achievements. This narrative is basically chronological, beginning with the origin of mathematics in the great civilizations of antiquity and progressing through the first few decades of this century. The presentation necessarily becomes less complete for modern times, when the pace of discovery has been rapid and the subject matter more technical.
The author opted to fit the topic of number theory into the larger historical frame.

The exercises in this text range in difficulty from the purely mechanical to challenging theoretical questions. They are an integral part of the book. The computational exercises develop basic techniques and test understanding of concepts, while those of a theoretical nature give practice in constructing proofs.

Problems: Assorted problems of varying degrees of difficulty have been interspersed throughout the text. Usually these problems typify a particular historical period, requiring the procedures of that time. They are an integral part of the text and students will learn in working them some interesting mathematics as well as history.

Edition details

• Publisher: Brown (William C.) Co ,U.S.
• Publication date: 1985
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0697068552
• ISBN 13: 9780697068552
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 544