A Historian Looks Back: The Calculus As Algebra And Selected Writings (spectrum)
by Judith V. Grabiner /
2010 / English / PDF
23.4 MB Download
Judith Grabiner, the author of
Judith Grabiner, the author ofA Historian Looks Back
A Historian Looks Back, has
long been interested in investigating what mathematicians
actually do, and how mathematics actually has developed. She
addresses the results of her investigations not principally to
other historians, but to mathematicians and teachers of
mathematics. This book brings together much of what she has had
to say to this audience.
, has
long been interested in investigating what mathematicians
actually do, and how mathematics actually has developed. She
addresses the results of her investigations not principally to
other historians, but to mathematicians and teachers of
mathematics. This book brings together much of what she has had
to say to this audience.
The centerpiece of the book is
The centerpiece of the book isThe Calculus as Algebra: J.-L.
Lagrange, 1736-1813
The Calculus as Algebra: J.-L.
Lagrange, 1736-1813. The book describes the achievements,
setbacks, and influence of Lagrange s pioneering attempt to
reduce the calculus to algebra. Nine additional articles round
out the book describing the history of the derivative; the origin
of delta-epsilon proofs; Descartes and problem solving; the
contrast between the calculus of Newton and Maclaurin, and that
of Lagrange; Maclaurin s way of doing mathematics and science and
his surprisingly important influence; some widely held myths
about the history of mathematics; Lagrange s attempt to prove
Euclid s parallel postulate; and the central role that
mathematics has played throughout the history of western
civilization.
. The book describes the achievements,
setbacks, and influence of Lagrange s pioneering attempt to
reduce the calculus to algebra. Nine additional articles round
out the book describing the history of the derivative; the origin
of delta-epsilon proofs; Descartes and problem solving; the
contrast between the calculus of Newton and Maclaurin, and that
of Lagrange; Maclaurin s way of doing mathematics and science and
his surprisingly important influence; some widely held myths
about the history of mathematics; Lagrange s attempt to prove
Euclid s parallel postulate; and the central role that
mathematics has played throughout the history of western
civilization.
The development of mathematics cannot be programmed or predicted.
Still, seeing how ideas have been formed over time and what the
difficulties were can help teachers find new ways to explain
mathematics. Appreciating its cultural background can humanize
mathematics for students. And famous mathematicians struggles and
successes should interest -- and perhaps inspire -- researchers.
Readers will see not only what the mathematical past was like,
but also how important parts of the mathematical present came to
be.
The development of mathematics cannot be programmed or predicted.
Still, seeing how ideas have been formed over time and what the
difficulties were can help teachers find new ways to explain
mathematics. Appreciating its cultural background can humanize
mathematics for students. And famous mathematicians struggles and
successes should interest -- and perhaps inspire -- researchers.
Readers will see not only what the mathematical past was like,
but also how important parts of the mathematical present came to
be.
