The Mathematical Traveler: Exploring The Grand History Of Numbers - Softcover

Clawson, Calvin C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0738208353 ISBN 13: 9780738208350

Publisher: Basic Books, 2003

Synopsis

Back in print at last, this classic work by Calvin Clawson examines the remarkable co-evolution of numbers and human culture. From the early clay beads and ropes that our ancestors used as primitive counting tools to the influence of fractals and complex number systems on chaos theory, The Mathematical traveller takes us on a journey over continents and through time to discover how mathematics has become an integral part of our world. We stop at ancient Sumeria, China, Greece, Italy, and England, where we learn about the discovery of our current counting system, the golden mean, pi, irrational numbers, and other mathematical innovations. More than just an overview of the history of numbers, The Mathematical traveller explores how the understanding of mathematics helped humanity to create the underpinnings of art, technology, economics, and science that shaped the world we live in today.

About this title

About the Author

Calvin C. Clawson is the author of The Mathematical traveller and Conquering Math Phobia. He has published over two dozen short stories, and won an award from the National Writers Association for his novel The White Badger. A teacher of mathematics at Seattle Community College, he lives south of Issaquah, Washington.

Edition details

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0738208353
• ISBN 13: 9780738208350
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 324