No label defined (Q4339949)

The book presents a selection of readings collected for students of a course in the history of mathematics. The editors hoped that also others are interested in the topics of the book. They selected documents of various kinds, mathematical works written in the past, historical studies of present-day historians, letters, extracts from diaries, pieces of literary work as well as examples of modern historial discussion and critical studies. Within a broadly chronological framework, the material is arranged in 19 chapters in the light of content and theme. The extracts reach from the origins of number and counting up to computer proofs, and sketch the mathematical activities from antiquity until the end of the 19th century. Finally some items concern the 20th century. The book is well suited for encouraging students in further studies in the history of mathematics as well as arousing an interest in historical topics. The editors have kept their commentary to a minimum and complemented the book by six references to further standard readings on the history of mathematics, an index of all quoted sources as well as a name- and a subject index resp.