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Amazon.com Review

What does mathematics mean? Is it numbers or arithmetic, proofs or equations? Jan Gullberg starts his massive historical overview with some insight into why human beings find it necessary to "reckon," or count, and what math means to us. From there to the last chapter, on differential equations, is a very long, but surprisingly engrossing journey. Mathematics covers how symbolic logic fits into cultures around the world, and gives fascinating biographical tidbits on mathematicians from Archimedes to Wiles. It's a big book, copiously illustrated with goofy little line drawings and cartoon reprints. But the real appeal (at least for math buffs) lies in the scads of problems--with solutions--illustrating the concepts. It really invites readers to sit down with a cup of tea, pencil and paper, and (ahem) a calculator and start solving. Remember the first time you "got it" in math class? With Mathematics you can recapture that bliss, and maybe learn something new, too. Everyone from schoolkids to professors (and maybe even die-hard mathphobes) can find something useful, informative, or entertaining here. --Therese Littleton

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Excellent math resource        Rating:

In the last few years I decided to learn more about mathematics. I think I may have had "math anxiety" early in my schooling. Either that or my brain isn't mathematically inclined.

I ordered this book hoping it would partially overcome my difficulty in learning math. I would say it does. The book is way too big and long to sit down and read as one would other types of books. However, it is a tremendous resource, well written and relatively easy to understand (that depends somewhat on one's math expertise). The title "Mathematics From the Birth of Numbers" describes the book exactly. It starts with, literally, the birth of numbers in "ancient" times and goes through all of the kinds of mathematics, such as number theory, calculus, geometry, etc. I recommend this book more as a reference than as a textbook or a book to read from cover to cover. For example, if you want to know something about number theory, go to that section of the book and read what you want to know. Same with other topics. Illustrations and equations are plentiful and answers to the exercises are in the back.

My only criticism which really isn't a criticism; the book is too heavy for me to sit comfortably in my recliner and read. It couldn't be any lighter in weight, though.

If you want a good history of mathematics plus explanations of most of the various mathematical disciplines, I would recommend this book.

A Bit Pricey, but aren't all Math Books?        Rating:

A beautiful written and illustrated gentle, user-friendly reference guide to mathematics from the invention of numbers, counting and reckoning up through linear differential equations, touching on all of the important signposts in between. The explanations are clear, concise and accompanied by excellent diagrams. Elementary calculus is covered especially well. The foray into Topology, fractals, and symbolic logic was an unexpected bonus with a modern touch. The very final section on probability theory with a calculus approach to probability density functions stands out as exceptional.

On the negative side, I expected more on infinite numbers, topology (which was only two pages of diagrams and basic definitions only), and vector analysis, which seems to have stopped at cross products.

But despite these minor points, it is a very useful and up-to-date reference guide for non-mathematicians and others up through the calculus. Four stars.

superb        Rating:

I can only ditto what other reviewers have said; this is an amazing book. It's a great way to gently walk back up to something you might have run away from in school. The author ties together the math; its creation and its applications in a way that will fascinate you even if you're not a math geek. Beautifully done.

nice survey of basic mathematics        Rating:

Just adding another 5 star review. This book spends 600 pages on high school mathematics, and 400 on calculus/analysis. It also tosses in things not often seen before college: set theory, logic, and combinatorics. It is a history, survey, and poor man's reference.

Great way to put those brain cells through their paces again        Rating:

While I always enjoyed math and science, I didn't particularly have time to "enjoy" the process of learning, thanks to our wonderful public school system, which focuses kids on getting a passing grade instead of actually learning something. This book is a wonderful cure for the apathy towards learning that is so prevalent today.

"Mathematics" is a great refresher and a good starting point for someone who wants to study math just for the sake of learning, not necessarily with some utilitarian goal in mind. The books is well put together, there is an abundance of interesting facts, illustrations and historical references that make it quite educational. This is not an exhaustive reference, but it gives a great overview both from a thematic standpoint, as well as providing a historical overview of the development of mathematics as we know it today.

The book is very easy to read, and to follow; one doesn't have to read it in its sequence, reader can pick and choose the subjects that he is most interested in.

I think it could also be used as a teaching tool for junior high/high school age kids that are interested in math (I might be thinking of some other planet) and want to go beyond the curriculum.

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