The Sensual (Quadratic) Form
The Sensual (Quadratic) Form
March 1998
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Hardback
9780883850305
£33.99
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The distinguished mathematician John Conway presents quadratic forms in a pictorial way that enables the reader to understand them mathematically without proving theorems in the traditional fashion. One learns to sense their properties. In his customary enthusiastic style, Conway uses his theme to cast light on all manner of mathematical topics from algebra, number theory and geometry, including many new ideas and features.
- Conway is a very distinguished mathematician and well-known author
- Contains many original insights into the subject
- Can be appreciated without formal mathematical training
Reviews & endorsements
'Absolutely fascinating from beginning to end.' New Scientist
Product details
March 1998Hardback
9780883850305
166 pages
215 × 148 × 18 mm
0.335kg
68 b/w illus.
This item is not supplied by Cambridge University Press in your region. Please contact Mathematical Association of America for availability.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- 1. The first lecture: can you see the values of 2x2 + 6xy – 5y2?
- 2. Afterthoughts: PSL2(Z) and Farey functions
- 3. The second lecture: can you hear the shape of a lattice?
- 4. Afterthoughts: Kneser's gluing method – unimodular lattices
- 5. The third lecture: ... and can you feel its form?
- 6. Afterthoughts: feeling the form of a four dimensional lattice
- 7. The fourth lecture: the primary fragrances
- 8. Afterthought: more about the invariants – p-adic numbers
- 9. Postscript: a taste of number theory
- Bibliography.
