Mathematics book report

02 Feb. 2008 Mathematics Book Report of Book: A History of Mathematics Carl B. Boyer Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, USA. ISBN: 0-471-0963-2
Where I found the book: http://www. amazon. co. uk/History-Mathematics-Carl-B-Boyer/dp/0471543977/ref= sr_1_2ie= UTF8&s= books&qid= 1201938262&sr= 1-2
This report is about an interesting book written by Carl B. Boyer. It is about how mathematics evolved and how its principles were found out. There are several books about the history of mathematics but it stands out. It needs great determination to read through this book. But if you read, you would end up earning immense wealth of information.
The way the mathematicians worked to solve problems are clearly given and in particular, it says about how mathematics has become an integral part of our day to day life. It is the perfect guide for anyone who knows well about the basics of mathematics.
Contents of the book
There are 28 chapters in the book, each one dealing with different aspects of mathematics. It does not deal everything as a story. Rather, it tells about the development of main ideas and gives us a clear understanding of what math and science in general means. The book starts with the origin of number systems through different countries, starting from Egypt, Mesopotamia and its development in the different ages of Plato and Aristotle. Then, the book tells about how math evolved through the eyes of different mathematicians like Newton, Leibniz, Fermat and Descartes and how they applied it in different fields of life.
Finally the book tells about geometry, algebra and about the developments in the twentieth century. It gives a good insight about the future developments too.
Pro’s of this book
One always wonders about how each and every equation in mathematics was evolved and what made those equations perfectly correct. This book gives you the answers for whatever you think about math. Carl Boyer has given a strong emphasis on the chronological arrangement of the book and the history it refers to. This turns out to be the unique reason for the success of this book.
What you learn
Once you get your sight in, we are entitled to ask ourselves as to why mathematics leaves us with questions we cannot answer. The amazing thing one learns when reading this book is that mathematics evolved not only in Europe but in other parts of the world too. Interestingly, it is not only men who discovered its mysteries. This is a pleasant fact to hear that women too were engaged in evolving mathematics.
Certainly, the information given on views of mathematicians was quite interesting. To point out few, Hilbert’s view on math and Goedel’s theorem stating that some mathematical theorems can never be deduced were amazing. This impacts us so much that we tend to get a feeling, having a lot to prove in this world. Boyer understands the feelings of the reader and points out good references of other books to look out, to understand the concepts better. He maintains the flow of information and capture the pulse of the reader.
Con’s of the book
First of all, you need to have a decent understanding of how math works before reading this book. The language used is subject specific but still, general public can cope up. Some sources of information are pretty complex and vague which may get us bored.
Other than that, it is a perfect book for mathematicians to have with them.
Conclusion
This book is certainly the best I have ever read on mathematics. With full of facts and a wealth of information, this book deserves to have the name ” A History of Mathematics”
Works Cited
Carl B. Boyer. A History of Mathematics. USA: John Riley & Sons, 1991.