Great Thinkers, Great Theorems

by William Dunham

Course Overview
Mathematics is filled with beautiful theorems that are as breathtaking as the most celebrated works of art, literature, or music. They are the Mona Lisas, Hamlets, and Fifth Symphonys of the field—landmark achievements that repay endless study and that are the work of geniuses as fascinating as Leonardo, Shakespeare, and Beethoven.

Genres: Mathematics

24 pages, Audio CD

About the author

An American writer who was originally trained in topology but became interested in the history of mathematics and specializes in Leonhard Euler. He has received several awards for writing and teaching on this subject.

Reviews

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2010 the Teaching Company’s Great Courses released Professor William Durham’s l wonderful 24 lecture course titled “Great Thinkers, Great Theorems.” The course presents the great theorems of renown thought leaders from Euclid in his 300 BC writings titled “The Elements” to Georg Cantor’s (1874) proofs of the existence of transcendental non- algebraic numbers. These transcendental numbers (for example π or 1 − π) are very important for learning the science and the art of mathematics. The course also features famous mathematicians and exceptional thought leaders such as Archimedes, Heron, Newton, Leibniz, and Euler. Professor Durham’s course profoundly improved my understanding of basic concepts that underpin algebra, calculus, quadric equations, and today’s knowledge of prime numbers, cubic geometry, 3rd degree equations, and logical reasoning techniques. Finally, the course lectures about 18th and 19th century women who excelled in creating mathematic theorems are very interesting. I purchased the dvd course presentations based on a recommendation from a close friend who holds a medical degree and who had a long career doing advanced medical research. I am I am very grateful to him for recommending the course and I look forward to discussing it with him. (P)

[Enrico · Rating 4 out of 5]

A course that presents some of maths greatest thinkers and their proofs of some theorems. For every mathematician there is a bit of biographical information first, which is followed by examples of their best works. A lot of time in the course is spent on retracing the proofs of the great theorems these people made.