The Square Root of 2

A Dialogue Concerning a Number and a Sequence

David Flannery

256 pages, parution le 09/02/2006

Ajouter à une liste

Indisponible

Résumé

The square root of 2 is a fascinating number - if a little less famous than such mathematical stars as pi, the number e, the golden ratio, or the square root of -1. (Each of these has been honored by at least one recent book.) Here, in an imaginary dialogue between teacher and student, readers will learn why v2 is an important number in its own right, and how, in puzzling out its special qualities, mathematicians gained insights into the illusive nature of irrational numbers. Using no more than basic high school algebra and geometry, David Flannery manages to convey not just why v2 is fascinating and significant, but how the whole enterprise of mathematical thinking can be played out in a dialogue that is imaginative, intriguing, and engaging.

Original and informative, The Square Root of 2 is a one-of-a-kind introduction to the pleasure and playful beauty of mathematical thinking.

Sommaire

Getting to the Root of the Mystery
Irrationality and Its Consequences
The Power of Algebra
Witchcraft
Odds and Ends
Epilogue

Voir tout

Replier

Caractéristiques techniques

	PAPIER
Éditeur(s)	Copernicus Books, Praxis Publishing
Auteur(s)	David Flannery
Parution	09/02/2006
Nb. de pages	256
Format	16 x 24
Couverture	Relié
Poids	570g
Intérieur	Noir et Blanc
EAN13	9780387202204
ISBN13	978-0-387-20220-4