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<No title> Reviewed by Ian Gordon National Review columnist Derbyshire follows up Prime Obsession with a similar book on the historical development of algebraic principles. As a mathematician, linguist, systems analyst, and critic, he interweaves historical insight and biographical sketches into a book that is both compelling and easy to follow. The story line delves into algebraic principles concentrating on mathematical abstractions, historical narratives, and the development of mathematical ideas. Derbyshire moves quickly through the contributions of select mathematicians (not a complete who's who in algebra), including Diophantus, Descartes, Bernhard Riemann, and David Hilbert. The text--complete with mathematical primers, solved problems, figures, and historical vignettes--is written at a high school level for a general audience interested in recreational mathematics. Recommended for all school and public libraries and mainly undergraduate academic libraries.--Ian Gordon, Ian Gordon is at the Brock University Library, St. Catharines, Ontario. |
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