The mathematics of measurement: a critical history (Q4220178)

The main objective of this nicely written book is to give a historic development of those branches of mathematics which have been specifically developed for the handling of measurements. Important episodes in the process of quantification of key concepts in physics and engineering science are presented. Its aim is to provide a ``critical history'' of these concepts, that is, a chronological presentation which attempts to clarify their meanings. The author treats several fields like dimensional analysis, calculus, algebra or error analysis but also focuses his attention on the development of many key concepts in physics such as astronomy, thermodynamics or electricity. This book is a goldmine of information, which is easy to understand, about the development of key concepts of the natural sciences in the last centuries. In his own field an expert will get new perspectives for looking on the subject from a historical point of view, and a generally interested reader will get competent information on the development of key concepts. A book which, indeed, is fun reading.