MATH THROUGH THE AGES

Math through the Ages by William Berlinghoff & Fernando Gouvea

Just published, an Expanded Edition of a popular book. Ideal for a broad spectrum of audiences, including students in math history courses at the late high school or early college level, pre-service or in-service teachers, and casual readers who just want to know a little more about the origins of mathematics. Can be used a History of Mathematics text, as a Liberal Arts Mathematics Text, or as part of the preparation of future mathematics teachers.Where did math come from? Who thought up all those algebra symbols, and why? What's the story behind ? ...negative numbers? ...the metric system? ...quadratic equations? ...sine and cosine? The 25 independent sketches in Math through the Ages answer these questions and many others in an informal, easygoing style that's accessible to teachers, students, and anyone who is curious about the history of mathematical ideas. Each sketch contains Questions and Projects to help you learn more about its topic and to see how its main ideas fit into the bigger picture of history. The 25 short stories are preceded by a 56-page bird's-eye overview of the entire panorama of mathematical history, a whirlwind tour of the most important people, events, and trends that shaped the mathematics we know today.