Introduction to the History of Mathematics

Author: Li Wenlin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Marx said, "A science only reaches true perfection when it is successfully applied to mathematics. Mathematics is one of the symbols of human civilization in every era. The formation of the concept of numbers may be as ancient as the use of fire, 'and its significance for human civilization is no less than that of fire.' The famous philosopher Whitehead, in criticizing the neglect of mathematics by previous historians of thought, humorouslyed: 'If someone were to say: to compile a history of thought without deeply studying the mathematical concepts of each era, it would be like removing the character of Hamlet from the play of Hamlet.' In fact, it can be said that without understanding the history of mathematics, one cannot fully understand the entire history of human civilization. The development of mathematics is also full of hesitation, wandering, and has gone through countless difficulties and twists, even facing crises. And this is something that cannot be understood from a theorem-to-theorem textbook. The real process of mathematicians overcoming difficulties and winning crises across generations is equally fascinating and inspiring, allowing us to draw wise insights from it. An Introduction to the History of Mathematics (Second Edition) takes the development of major mathematical ideas as its main thread, elaborating on the history of mathematics from ancient times to the modern era. It provides concise introductions and appropriate analyses of ancient Greek and Eastern mathematics; at the same time, adhering to the principle of "emphasizing the present and reducing the past," it fully discusses the evolution and transformation of modern mathematics since the Renaissance, particularly the overview of 20th-century mathematics, with novel content. This book blends Chinese and Western perspectives, placing Chinese mathematics within the context of world mathematics, making it more objective and enlightening. The book is well-structured, with clear focus, appropriate length, and rich information. It also pays attention to citing vivid historical facts and abundant illustrations, making it suitable as a textbook for students of various disciplines in comprehensive universities and normal universities, as well as for and general science enthusiasts to read and reference. This book has received the attention and praise of the mathematical master Chen Jingsheng, who also wrote a preface for it: "Understanding the changes in history is a step in understanding this science."