Introducing Mathematics

This text traces the development of mathematics through some of its major turning points, occasions when counter-intuitive ideas such as the square root of minus one and space-filling curves, have forced themselves upon the attention of mathematicians, leading them to rethink their field.

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What is mathematics, and why is it such a mystery to so many people? Mathematics is the greatest creation of human intelligence. It affects us all. We depend on it in our daily lives, and yet many of the tools of mathematics, such as geometry, algebra and trigonometry, are descended from ancient or non-Western civilizations. Introducing Mathematics traces the story of mathematics from the ancient world to modern times, describing the great discoveries and providing an accessible introduction to such topics as number-systems, geometry and algebra, the calculus, the theory of the infinite, statistical reasoning and chaos theory. It shows how the history of mathematics has seen progress and paradox go hand in hand - and how this is still happening today. This is an essential book for anyone interested in the wonderful and weird world of mathematics - which is, after all, the world we have created for ourselves.