The taming of infinity. History of mathematics from the first numbers to the theory of chaos

Mathematics has a long and glorious, albeit pretty forgotten history. Do not underestimate its influence on the development of our culture. Professor Ian Stuart in an exciting manner and humor talks about significant applications of mathematics and its history.

Mathematics did not appear immediately in finished form. It arose gradually, the efforts of thousands of people from different cultures, speaking in many languages. Her postulates, relevant to this day, have more than 4000 years.

Many human discoveries were short -lived. The invention of the wheel, which determined the fate of the new kingdom in Egypt, now few will call a breakthrough in technology. Mathematics never lost its significance. As soon as he had time to take shape, her next discovery became necessary for everyone and began to live her own life. Important mathematical ideas rarely went out of fashion, although they could be used differently. Ways to solve equations, opened by Babylonians, are still used. Yes, we refused their symbols, but it is impossible to deny a historical connection. The lion"s share of the basics of mathematics taught at school has at least 200 years. The "modern" course adopted in the 1960s refers us to the XIX century. However, despite external conservatism, mathematics went forward. Nowadays, as many mathematical discoveries are made in our days as the Babylonians managed to make in 2000 years.

The development of civilization has always been hand in hand with the development of mathematics. Without discoveries in trigonometry made by ancient Greeks, Arabs and Indians, swimming in open oceans during the great geographical discoveries would be a much more dangerous occupation. Trading paths from China to Europe or from Indonesia to both America are laid along the invisible mathematical thread. It is difficult to imagine modern society without mathematics. Almost everything that now seems natural to us: from television to mobile phones, from giant passenger liners to satellite navigation systems in cars, from trains to medical examinations, is based on its calculations and methods. Sometimes they are thousands of years, sometimes - only a few days. Most do not even realize in their invisible presence in each of the miracles of modern technology.

For whom this book
For mathematicians and everyone who is interested in the history of mathematics and science in general.

About the author
Ian Stuart - a professor of mathematics, a well -known popularizer of science, laureate of many awards, the author of more than 20 popular science books translated into several languages, and more than 160 scientific articles. Stuart is a New Scientist magazine consultant