Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imagined History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Used
- Hardcover
- Condition
- As new, clean, tight & bright condition, with bright and crisp dust jacket
- ISBN 10
- 1843545691
- ISBN 13
- 9781843545699
- Seller
-
Baldwin City, Kansas, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Synopsis
For curious nonmathematicians and armchair algebra buffs, John Derbyshire discovers the story behind the formulae, roots, and radicals. As he did so masterfully in Prime Obsession , Derbyshire brings the evolution of mathematical thinking to dramatic life by focusing on the key historical players. Unknown Quantity begins in the time of Abraham and Isaac and moves from Abel?s proof to the higher levels of abstraction developed by Galois through modern-day advances. Derbyshire explains how a simple turn of thought from ?this plus this equals this? to ?this plus what equals this?? gave birth to a whole new way of perceiving the world. With a historian?s narrative authority and a beloved teacher?s clarity and passion, Derbyshire leads readers on an intellectually satisfying and pleasantly challenging journey through the development of abstract mathematical thought.
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Details
- Bookseller
- J. Hood, Booksellers, inc. (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 208354
- Title
- Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imagined History of Algebra
- Author
- Derbyshire, John
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- New As new, clean, tight & bright condition, with bright and crisp dust jacket
- Quantity Available
- 1
- ISBN 10
- 1843545691
- ISBN 13
- 9781843545699
- Publisher
- Atlantic Books
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 2007
Terms of Sale
J. Hood, Booksellers, inc.
Payment with order, credit cards accepted (VISA, MC, Discover), personal checks on USA banks, money orders in US funds. Libraries and educational institutions will be invoiced upon request. Returns accepted within 30 days. Unless the book is clearly not as described, refund is for the price of the book only.
About the Seller
J. Hood, Booksellers, inc.
About J. Hood, Booksellers, inc.
Glossary
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- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- Tight
- Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.
- Crisp
- A term often used to indicate a book's new-like condition. Indicates that the hinges are not loosened. A book described as crisp...
- New
- A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...