The Changing Shape of Geometry
Celebrating a century of geometry and geometry teaching, this book will give the reader an enjoyable insight into all things geometrical. There are a wealth of popular articles including sections on Pythagoras, the golden ratio and recreational geometry. Historical items, drawn principally from the Mathematical Gazette, are authored by mathematicians such as G. H. Hardy, Rouse Ball, Thomas Heath and Bertrand Russell as well as some more recent expositors. Thirty 'Desert Island Theorems' from distinguished mathematicians and educationalists give light to some surprising and beautiful results. Contributors include H. S. M. Coxeter, Michael Atiyah, Tom Apostol, Solomon Golomb, Keith Devlin, Nobel Laureate Leon Lederman, Carlo Séquin, Simon Singh, Christopher Zeeman and Pulitzer Prizewinner Douglas Hofstadter. The book also features the wonderful Eyeball Theorems of Peruvian geometer and web designer, Antonio Gutierrez. For anyone with an interest in mathematics and mathematics education this book will be an enjoyable and rewarding read.
- Includes contributions from many distinguished mathematicians
- Articles on history, recreational geometry and desert island theorems give insights into some surprising and beautiful results
Reviews & endorsements
"...a fascinating compilation of articles...This is a book that will appeal to a broad range of readers, including students and teachers of mathematics, mathematical amateurs, and active researchers. In short, this is a serious candidate for your 'desert island book'." Mathematical Reviews
"This book is a source of intellectual delight and can easily be dipped into during one's leisure moments ... Allowed to browse, the curious young person will surely find much here to read with delight." American Scientish
Product details
February 2003Paperback
9780521531627
560 pages
246 × 176 × 28 mm
1.177kg
300 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. The nature of geometry
- 2. Desert island theorems - Greek geometry
- 3. The history of geometry
- 4. Desert island theorems - elementary Euclidean geometry
- 5. Pythagoras' theorem
- 6. Desert island theorems - advanced Euclidean geometry
- 7. The golden ratio
- 8. Desert island theorems - non-Euclidean geometry and topology
- 9. Recreational geometry
- 10. Desert island theorems - geometrical physics
- 11. The teaching of geometry
- Appendices.