Expeditions through the history of calculation. From the author's inheritance, edited by Theo Grundhöfer and Karl Strambach (Q2906888)

In the inheritance of the late Heinz Lüneburg, a series of essays was found on the history of algebraic manipulations with numbers, numerically valued as well as abstractly valued. The whole volume 31 of the Mitteilungen der Mathematischen Gesellschaft in Hamburg is dedicated to them. They are written in a pleasing and narrative way; the booklet starts with a photograph of the author. In Section 1, ``Formeln'', one finds connections with work of Fibonacci, Vieta, Euclid as well as with third-degree equations, etc. Section 2 has to do with natural numbers and proportions and the Dedekind cut. Section 3 deals with functions and relations. The rational numbers are the subject of Section 4, along with the principle of induction and relations; Eudoxos, Descartes, endomorphisms are treated. In Section 5 one finds considerations around the greatest common denominator and the ``velocity'' of carrying out the Euclidean algorithm as well as Fibonacci numbers. Section 6 has to do with the approximation of square roots, adapted for applications. Regular polygons are the subject of Section 7, as well as Pythagoras' theorem. There is a very incomplete Section 8 on approximations, very carefully written down and expanded by the editors T. Grundhöfer and K. Strambach. In Section 9 there are negative numbers to be found, cubic and quadratic equations, polynomials and logarithms. A fragmentary closing section on vocabulary closes the booklet, and there is an informative list of references.NEWLINENEWLINE It remains for me to say that one should certainly take notice of these historic expeditions from ancient times up to our days. The reviewer feels blessed that he became aware of this volume!