Great Moments in Mathematics: Before 1650 is the product of a series of lectures on the history of mathematics given by Howard Eves. He presents here, in chronological order, 20 ``great moments in mathematics before 1650'', which can be appreciated by anyone who enjoys mathematics. These wonderful lectures could be used as the basis of a course on the history of mathematics but can also serve as enrichment to any mathematics course. Included are lectures on the Pythagorean Theorem, Euclid's Elements, Archimedes (on the sphere), Diophantus, Omar Khayyam, and Fibonacci.

[V.2] This is a companion to Great moments in mathematics before 1650. It can be appreciated by anyone with a working knowledge of beginning deferential and integral calculus. Includes: the birth of mathematical probability, the invention of the differential calculus, the discovery of non-Euclidean geometry, the discovery of noncommutative algebra, and the resolution of the four-color problem.

What a splendid addition this is to the Dolciani Mathematical Exposition series! This second set of lectures on great moments in mathematics (after 1650) is a fascinating collection of pivotal points in the historical development of mathematics...The four lectures devoted to the liberation of geometry and algebra are of particular interest. The lectures should be required reading for all teachers of mathematics. —Herbert Fremont, The Mathematics Teacher Eves is never less than tantalizing and usually inspiring...each 'great moment' has detailed exercises following it, as these have been carefully chosen to illustrate the depth of the ideas in question. —C. W. Kilmister, The London Times, Higher Education Supplement As is usual with Eves' work, the books are well written and entertaining. They give an historical background to many of the best known mathematical results, and, in addition, provide interesting pieces of information about the mathematicians involved. Eves includes relevant exercises at the end of each chapter. These are a good source of different, interesting problems, and when combined with the material in the chapter, could form the basis for a mathematical project...Eves' book provides an interesting, well-written, and enjoyable account. You won't be disappointed. —David Parrott, The Australian Mathematics Teacher

From bestselling author of Fermat's Last Theorem, a must-have for number lovers and Simpsons fans

A brilliant introduction to the pleasures of mathematical thinking, this book attempts to convey to general readers the feeling of eureka--the joy of discovery--that mathematicians feel when they first encounter an elegant truth. 92 line illustrations.

A delightful tour of the greatest ideas of math, showing how math intersects with philosophy, science, art, business, current events, and everyday life, by an acclaimed science communicator and regular contributor to the "New York Times."

Looks at the history of mathematical discoveries and the lives of great mathematicians.

Mathematics is beautiful--and it can be fun and exciting as well as practical. Good Math is your guide to some of the most intriguing topics from two thousand years of mathematics: from Egyptian fractions to Turing machines; from the real meaning of numbers to proof trees, group symmetry, and mechanical computation. If you've ever wondered what lay beyond the proofs you struggled to complete in high school geometry, or what limits the capabilities of computer on your desk, this is the book for you. Why do Roman numerals persist? How do we know that some infinities are larger than others? And how can we know for certain a program will ever finish? In this fast-paced tour of modern and not-so-modern math, computer scientist Mark Chu-Carroll explores some of the greatest breakthroughs and disappointments of more than two thousand years of mathematical thought. There is joy and beauty in mathematics, and in more than two dozen essays drawn from his popular "Good Math" blog, you'll find concepts, proofs, and examples that are often surprising, counterintuitive, or just plain weird. Mark begins his journey with the basics of numbers, with an entertaining trip through the integers and the natural, rational, irrational, and transcendental numbers. The voyage continues with a look at some of the oddest numbers in mathematics, including zero, the golden ratio, imaginary numbers, Roman numerals, and Egyptian and continuing fractions. After a deep dive into modern logic, including an introduction to linear logic and the logic-savvy Prolog language, the trip concludes with a tour of modern set theory and the advances and paradoxes of modern mechanical computing. If your high school or college math courses left you grasping for the inner meaning behind the numbers, Mark's book will both entertain and enlighten you.