Skip to content

Number: The Language of Science
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Number: The Language of Science Paperback - 2007

by Tobias Dantzig; Joseph Mazur

Number is an eloquent, accessible tour de force that reveals how the concept of number evolved from prehistoric times through the twentieth century. Tobias Dantzig shows that the development of math from the invention of counting to the discovery of infinity is a profoundly human story that progressed by 'trying and erring, by groping and stumbling.' He shows how commerce, war, and religion led to advances in math, and he recounts the stories of individuals whose breakthroughs expanded the concept of number and created the mathematics that we know today.


Summary

Number is an eloquent, accessible tour de force that reveals how the concept of number evolved from prehistoric times through the twentieth century. Tobias Dantzig shows that the development of math—from the invention of counting to the discovery of infinity—is a profoundly human story that progressed by “trying and erring, by groping and stumbling.” He shows how commerce, war, and religion led to advances in math, and he recounts the stories of individuals whose breakthroughs expanded the concept of number and created the mathematics that we know today.

From the publisher

"Beyond doubt the most interesting book on the evolution of mathematics which has ever fallen into my hands."--Albert Einstein Number is an eloquent, accessible tour de force that reveals how the concept of number evolved from prehistoric times through the twentieth century. Renowned professor of mathematics Tobias Dantzig shows that the development of math--from the invention of counting to the discovery of infinity--is a profoundly human story that progressed by "trying and erring, by groping and stumbling." He shows how commerce, war, and religion led to advances in math, and he recounts the stories of individuals whose breakthroughs expanded the concept of number and created the mathematics that we know today.

Details

  • Title Number: The Language of Science
  • Author Tobias Dantzig; Joseph Mazur
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 416
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Plume Books, Garden City, New York
  • Date January 30, 2007
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780452288119 / 0452288118
  • Weight 0.77 lbs (0.35 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.02 x 5.38 x 0.94 in (20.37 x 13.67 x 2.39 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects History, Arithmetic
  • Dewey Decimal Code 510.1

Media reviews

Anyone interested in the history of numbers and mathematics should read this book. (Mario Livio, author of The Golden Ratio)

A classic . . . it deserves a place on the bookshelf of anyone interested in the history of thought. (Charles Seife, author of Zero and Decoding the Universe)

Beyond doubt the most interesting book on the evolution of mathematics which has ever fallen into my hands. (Albert Einstein)

About the author

Tobias Dantzig was born in Russia, and was taught by Henri Poincar in France before moving the United States. He received his Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Indiana, and was a professor of mathematics at the University of Maryland. He died in 1956. Joseph Mazur is Professor of Mathematics at Marlboro College, where he has taught a wide range of classes in all areas of mathematics, its history, and philosophy.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Number: The Language of Science

Number: The Language of Science

by Dantzig, Tobias; Mazur, Joseph

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452288119 / 0452288118
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€6.18
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Plume Books, 2007. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
€6.18
FREE shipping to USA
Number: The Language of Science

Number: The Language of Science

by Dantzig, Tobias; Mazur, Joseph

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452288119 / 0452288118
Quantity Available
8
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€6.18
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Plume Books, 2007. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
€6.18
FREE shipping to USA
Number: The Language of Science
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Number: The Language of Science

by Dantzig, Tobias

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452288119 / 0452288118
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€8.62
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Plume, 2007-01-30. paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
€8.62
FREE shipping to USA
Number: The Language of Science
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Number: The Language of Science

by Dantzig, Tobias

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452288119 / 0452288118
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€9.46
€14.19 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin USA. Used - Very Good.
Item Price
€9.46
€14.19 shipping to USA
Number : The Language of Science
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Number : The Language of Science

by Mazur, Joseph, Dantzig, Tobias

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452288119 / 0452288118
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€10.90
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
€10.90
FREE shipping to USA
Number: The Language of Science
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Number: The Language of Science

by Dantzig, Tobias (Author)/ Mazur, Joseph (Author)

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452288119 / 0452288118
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€15.13
€11.84 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Plume, 2007. Paperback. New. reprint edition. 416 pages. 7.75x5.50x1.00 inches.
Item Price
€15.13
€11.84 shipping to USA
Number: The Language of Science

Number: The Language of Science

by Tobias Dantzig

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452288119 / 0452288118
Quantity Available
10
Seller
Southport, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€16.47
€11.78 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback / softback. New.
Item Price
€16.47
€11.78 shipping to USA
Number

Number

by Tobias Dantzig

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452288119 / 0452288118
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Uxbridge, Greater London, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€20.30
€9.46 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback / softback. New. New Book; Fast Shipping from UK; Not signed; Not First Edition; "Beyond doubt the most interesting book on the evolution of mathematics which has ever fallen into my hands."--Albert Einstein Number is an eloquent, accessible tour de force that reveals how the concept of number evolved from
Item Price
€20.30
€9.46 shipping to USA
Number: The Language of Science
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Number: The Language of Science

by Dantzig, Tobias

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used:Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452288119 / 0452288118
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€18.77
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Plume, 2007-01-30. paperback. Used:Good.
Item Price
€18.77
FREE shipping to USA
Number
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Number

by Tobias Dantzig Joseph Mazur

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452288119 / 0452288118
Quantity Available
4
Seller
Woodside, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€20.34
€3.78 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books , pp. 416 . Papeback. New.
Item Price
€20.34
€3.78 shipping to USA