The beginnings and evolution of algebra /
The elements of algebra were known to the ancient Mesopotamians at least 4000 years ago. Today algebra stands as one of the cornerstones of modern mathematics. How then did the subject evolve? How did its constituent ideas and concepts arise, and how have they changed over the years? These are the q...
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
| Language Notes: | Translated from the Russian. |
| Published: |
[Washington, D.C.] :
Mathematical Association of America,
[2000]
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| Series: | Dolciani mathematical expositions ;
no. 23. |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Table of contents Publisher description |
| Summary: | The elements of algebra were known to the ancient Mesopotamians at least 4000 years ago. Today algebra stands as one of the cornerstones of modern mathematics. How then did the subject evolve? How did its constituent ideas and concepts arise, and how have they changed over the years? These are the questions that the authors address in this work. The authors challenge the existing view that the development of algebra was driven by the investigation of determinate equations and in particular their solution by radicals. In short they claim that the study of indeterminate equations was no less important.--From publisher's description. |
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| Physical Description: | xvi, 179 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: | 0883853299 9780883853290 0883853000 9780883853009 |