Title
A History of Greek Mathematics, Vol. 1: From Thales to Euclid,New
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As it is, the book is indispensable; it has, indeed, no serious English rival.' Times Literary Supplement.'Sir Thomas Heath, foremost English historian of the ancient exact sciences in the twentieth century.' Professor W. H. Stahl'Indeed, seeing that so much of Greek is mathematics, it is arguable that, if one would understand the Greek genius fully, it would be a good plan to begin with their geometry.'The perspective that enabled Sir Thomas Heath to understand the Greek genius deep intimacy with languages, literatures, philosophy, and all the sciences brought him perhaps closer to his beloved subjects and to their own ideal of educated men, than is common or even possible today. Heath read the original texts with a critical, scrupulous eye, and brought to this definitive twovolume history the insights of a mathematician communicated with the clarity of classically taught English.'Of all the manifestations of the Greek genius none is more impressive and even aweinspiring than that which is revealed by the history of Greek mathematics.' Heath records that history with the scholarly comprehension and comprehensiveness that marks this work as obviously classic now as when it first appeared in 1921. The linkage and unity of mathematics and philosophy suggest the outline for the entire history. Heath covers in sequence Greek numerical notation, Pythagorean arithmetic, Thales and Pythagorean geometry, Zeno, Plato, Euclid, Aristarchus, Archimedes, Apollonius, Hipparchus and trigonometry, Ptolemy, Heron, Pappus, Diophantus of Alexandria and the algebra. Interspersed are sections devoted to the history and analysis of famous problems: squaring the circle, angle trisection, duplication of the cube, and an appendix on Archimedes' proof of the subtangent property of a spiral. The coverage is everywhere thorough and judicious; but Heath is not content with plain exposition:It is a defect in the existing histories that, while they state generally the contents of, and the main propositions proved in, the great treatises of Archimedes and Apollonius, they make little attempt to describe the procedure by which the results are obtained. I have therefore taken pains, in the most significant cases, to show the course of the argument in sufficient detail to enable a competent mathematician to grasp the method used and to apply it, if he will, to other similar investigations.Mathematicians, then, will rejoice to find Heath back in print and accessible after many years. Historians of Greek culture and science can renew acquaintance with a standard reference; readers in general will find, particularly in the energetic discourses on Euclid and Archimedes, exactly what Heath means by impressive and aweinspiring.
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- Q: What is the size of this book? A: This book measures five point five one inches in length, zero point nine one inches in width, and eight point five four inches in height.
- Q: How many pages does this book have? A: This book contains four hundred sixty-four pages, providing a comprehensive exploration of Greek mathematics.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is available in paperback binding, making it lightweight and easy to handle.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of this book is Sir Thomas Heath, a renowned historian of ancient mathematics.
- Q: What is the genre of this book? A: This book falls under the genre of history and mathematics, focusing on Greek contributions to the field.
- Q: How do I read this book effectively? A: To read this book effectively, approach it with an understanding of basic mathematical concepts and an interest in historical context.
- Q: Is this book suitable for beginners in mathematics? A: Yes, this book can be suitable for beginners, as it provides clear explanations of mathematical concepts alongside historical insights.
- Q: What themes are covered in this book? A: This book covers themes such as Greek numerical notation, geometry, and historical problems in mathematics.
- Q: How should I store this book? A: Store this book in a cool, dry place, upright on a shelf to prevent warping or damage.
- Q: Can this book be safely handled by children? A: Yes, this book is safe for children, as it focuses on educational content about mathematics.
- Q: How do I clean this book if it gets dirty? A: To clean this book, gently wipe the cover with a dry cloth; avoid using water or cleaning solutions.
- Q: What should I do if the book arrives damaged? A: If the book arrives damaged, contact the seller for information on their return policy and possible replacements.
- Q: Is this book recommended for historians of science? A: Yes, this book is highly recommended for historians of science due to its detailed examination of Greek mathematics.
- Q: What if I want to gift this book to someone? A: This book makes a thoughtful gift for anyone interested in the history of mathematics or Greek culture.
- Q: Are there any notable reviews for this book? A: Yes, it has received positive reviews, including praise from the Times Literary Supplement for its indispensable insights.