Our systems are now restored following recent technical disruption, and we’re working hard to catch up on publishing. We apologise for the inconvenience caused. Find out more

Recommended product

Popular links

Popular links


The World of Numbers

The World of Numbers

The World of Numbers

Herbert McKay
April 2015
Available
Paperback
9781107494992
NZD$77.95
inc GST
Paperback

    Originally published in 1946, this book explains important aspects of the world through the lens of mathematics. McKay discusses important questions such as time, the size of the earth and 'numbers that mean too much' in language that is enthusiastic and easily accessible to non-mathematicians. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of mathematics.

    Product details

    April 2015
    Paperback
    9781107494992
    208 pages
    198 × 127 × 11 mm
    0.23kg
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • Preface
    • 1. A girdle round about the Earth
    • 2. The trials of geographers
    • 3. The arithmetic of great rivers
    • 4. Widdershins
    • 5. The all-composing hour
    • 6. Ellipses and orbits
    • 7. Proportions in the stars
    • 8. The Earth in a balance
    • 9. The prodigal sun
    • 10. Magnitudes of the stars
    • 11. Symbols
    • 12. Squaring the circle
    • 13. The ghost quantity
    • 14. Poets' numbers
    • 15. Numbers that mean too much
    • 16. Was man made by the Earth?
      Author
    • Herbert McKay