The King of Infinite Space: Euclid and His Elements
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.85 (977 Votes) |
| Asin | : | B00BPE0ZBO |
| Format Type | : | |
| Number of Pages | : | 281 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2018-02-25 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Who knew reading about geometry could be so riveting As a fan of David Berlinski's Devil's Delusion, I found myself drawn to dip into this fascinating book om Euclid. I was rewarded with Berlinski's clarity and wit, his elegant writing style. He converted me to a newfound interest in mathematics. Anyone would pick this book up with pleasure and leave it with regret. Mary Karr. Very interesting book; not for the total novice This is not the book to learn Euclidean Geometry. It requires some basic knowledge of Mathematics; it is not a fast read. It is a good discussion of some of the assumptions and limitations of Euclidean Geometry. One of the points it makes is to show how, for all the reputation for being a logically rigorous system in which all assumptions are defined and justified; Euclidean Geometry includes a good dose of plain "common sense" and "self-evident truths" bak. A delightful and inspiring read for people who enjoy good prose and thinking big thoughts. Reading Berlinski is like dining at a buffet of delicious ideas. The courses go quickly, but frequently one must pause in order to savor a particularly juicy bite--then perhaps go back for another helping before proceeding to the next course.I teach mathematics at a school for some of the most intellectually advanced students in the world. I am always looking for ways to help my students discover the world beyond their curriculumto understand the *why* and
Euclid's use of elemental logic - and the mathematical statements he and others built from it - have dramatically expanded the frontiers of human knowledge.. And for over 2,000 years, geometry has been equated with Euclid's Elements, arguably the most influential book in the history of mathematics. Geometry defines the world around us, helping us make sense of everything from architecture to military science to fashion. In The King of Infinite Space, renowned mathematics writer David Berlinski provides a concise homage to this elusive mathematician and his staggering achievements. Berlinski shows that, for centuries, scientists and thinkers from Copernicus to Newton to Einstein have relied on Euclid's axiomatic system, a method of proof still taught in classrooms around the world