The Development of Mathematics

by Eric Temple Bell

This time-honored study by one of the 20th century's foremost scholars and interpreters of the history and meaning of mathematics surveys the role of mathematics in civilization. It describes clearly the main principles, methods, and theories of mathematics that have survived from 4000 B.C. to 1945. 1945 edition.

Genres: Mathematics, Popular Science, Science

657 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1945

About the author

Eric Temple Bell (February 7, 1883 – December 21, 1960) was a mathematician and science fiction author born in Scotland who lived in the U.S. for most of his life. He published his non-fiction under his given name and his fiction as John Taine.

Reviews

[Adrián Lima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casi nunca pensamos que las matemáticas son al igual que la filosofía un logro de la creatividad humana, este libro es un resumen Perfecto de teorías matemáticas que ahora no son válidas pero en su momento fueron un logro

[Hessel Beijaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bell provides here a window into the history of mathematics. Inclined to stich and patch up its past, Bell nonetheless presents its development pyramid-like while it is only that in hindsight, when once popular concepts and theories turned to dead-ends and got erased from the map. Still an interesting and enjoyable read. Enjoyable since Bell is bold enough to challenge, reject, ridicule current beliefs about realist and idealist strands of thought. As he did in Men of Mathematics too – about the mathematicians. And interesting for the historical research. For stars for that, as I appreciated less the lack of clarity explaining mathematical concepts however the difficulty.

[Cuddly Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author with his richness of knowlege descripted the historical subject detailedly. What a wonderful book!!!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

No entendí la mitad de las fórmulas

[Francisco Arce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gran libro. Por momentos el autor trata de demostrar que es mas inteligente que uno (lo cial es cierto). Tiene frases y reflexiones que son muy valiosas.

[Jorge0289 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It‘s an amazing and interesting book. It changes the perspective I had of mathematics