A concise history of mathematics 4th edition

Within just pages the account of the history of mathematics is adequately described as Concise. What then did he have in mind when he wrote?

He wished to introduce his readers to the history, stir their interest, and then supply resources through which they could pick and choose for further study. Each of the eleven chapters also contains has its own bibliography. The first section of each chapter offers an overview of the socio-historical environment in which mathematics germinated and grew.

Once it was reached, numbers could be expressed with reference to a base. As the reader soon discovers, the social environment requires attention to the persons who developed the mathematics to fit not only its own needs but also the needs of society.

Quite deliberately, Struik left out many influential mathematicians. He wanted a book that people could read through in a short time without being bogged down by seemingly endless, however interesting, details whether mathematical or personal. A Concise History of Mathematics is an amazing book to read. What a tremendous amount of information Dirk Struik had at his command!

Barnabas Hughes, O. Skip to main content. Search form Search. Login Join Give Shops. Professor Struik died on October 21, , twenty-one days after his th birthday. Thomas F. Banchoff of Brown University, longtime friend and colleague of Dr. Struik and an advisor to Dover for the past 30 years, here tells the story of his friend's memorable th birthday celebration: "Dirk Struik was 97 at the time I asked him what he planned to do on his hundredth birthday.

He said that his family always had a party, but I then thought of a bright idea, a public celebration lecture where he would sit in the front row and hear people from his past say laudatory things about his contributions.

I blurted out, 'What about a lecture on your hundredth birthday? Joan Richards gave a sterling introduction covering the many aspects of his long career. The talk itself was full of personal reflections about the characteristics of these almost legendary figures in modern mathematics and the audience was most appreciative. He was a good friend to many people in his long life, and his books on so many subjects will continue to provide inspiration and encouragement to generations of students and teachers.

Greek Mathematical Thought and the Origin of Algebra. A Philosophical Essay on Probabilities. Mathematics and Logic. A History of Mathematical Notations.

Lectures on Elementary Mathematics. Makers of Mathematics. The Rules of Algebra: Ars Magna.