The Book of Squares

by Leonardo Fibonacci, Laurence E. Sigler (Translator)

The Book of Squares by Fibonacci is a gem in the mathematical literature and one of the most important mathematical treatises written in the Middle Ages. It is a collection of theorems on indeterminate analysis and equations of second degree which yield, among other results, a solution to a problem proposed by Master John of Palermo to Leonardo at the Court of Frederick II. The book was dedicated and presented to the Emperor at Pisa in 1225. Dating back to the 13th century the book exhibits the early and continued fascination of men with our number system and the relationship among numbers with special properties such as prime numbers, squares, and odd numbers. The faithful translation into modern English and the commentary by the translator make this book accessible to professional mathematicians and amateurs who have always been intrigued by the lure of our number system.

Genres: Mathematics

122 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1255

About the author

Leonardo Bonacci (c. 1170 – c. 1250)—known as Fibonacci, and also Leonardo of Pisa, Leonardo Pisano,Leonardo Pisano Bigollo, Leonardo Fibonacci—was an Italian mathematician, considered as "the most talented Western mathematician of the Middle Ages."
Fibonacci introduced to Europe the Hindu–Arabic numeral system primarily through his composition in 1202 of Liber Abaci (Book of Calculation). He also introduced to Europe the sequence of Fibonacci numbers (discovered earlier in India but not previously known in Europe), which he used as an example in Liber Abaci.

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a particularly cool read. I enjoyed this much more than Liber Abaci, but both were elucidating. As I continue onward in my quest, I am struck at once with how difficult some of the quadratic equations can be like Al-Khwarizmi’s method, which was applied geometrically in proposition 24, which in conjunction with 23, was all necessary to create what we know as one very, extremely complex proposition. Really within Propositions 6 and 24 are the most impressive, complex ideas developed. The entire thing is somewhat miscellaneous, somewhat contained. It is primarily a series of lemmas to be proven in response to a philosopher’s inquiry/question regarding numbers. If anyone knows anything about mathematicians, this is primarily how they got their work done. And it was impressive indeed. As opposed to the meandering mathematical pot pourri of Liber Abaci, Fibonacci’s Book of Squares was a series of succinct, complex propositional mathematics, the likes of which would have shook Euclid and Diophantus. This was an impressive book