The Number Pi (amsns AMS non-series title) - Softcover

Jean-Pierre Lafon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0821832468 ISBN 13: 9780821832462

Publisher: American Mathematical Society, 2004

Synopsis

'[In the book] we are dealing with a theme which cuts across the mathematics courses classically taught in the first four years of college. Thus it offers the reader the opportunity to learn, review and give long-term thought to the concepts covered in these programmes by following the guiding thread of this favoured number' - from the Preface. This is a clever, beautiful book. The authors trace the thread of pi through the long history of mathematics. In so doing, they touch upon many major subjects in mathematics: geometry (of course), number theory, Galois theory, probability, transcendental numbers, analysis, and, as their crown jewel, the theory of elliptic functions, which connects many of the other subjects.By this device, the authors provide a tour through mathematics, one that mathematicians of all levels, amateur or professional, may appreciate. In many cases, the tour visits well-known topics from particular special interest groups. Remarkably, pi is often found at the places of deepest beauty. The volume includes many exercises with detailed solutions. Anyone from undergraduate mathematics majors through university professors will find many things to enjoy in this book.

About this title

About the Author:

Jean-Pierre Torrell is a Dominican priest of the Toulouse province and professor of dogmatic theology at the University of Fribourg. From 1973 to 1981, he taught at the Gregorian University in Rome and was a member of the Leonine Commission, where he contributed to research on and editing of Aquinas's works.

About this edition

• Publisher: American Mathematical Society
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0821832468
• ISBN 13: 9780821832462
• Binding: Paperback
• Editor: Pierre Eymard