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What is Mathematics?: An Elementary Approach to Ideas and Methods (Oxford paperbacks) (Paperback)

by Richard Courant (Author), Herbert Robbins (Author), Ian Stewart (Editor) "Number is the basis of modern mathematics ..." (more)

4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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Product details

Paperback: 592 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc; 2nd Revised edition edition (18 Jul 1996)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0195105192
ISBN-13: 978-0195105193
Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 2.8 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 67,983 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category:
#27 in Books > Science & Nature > Mathematics > History of Mathematics

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Product Description

Albert Einstein

"A lucid representation of the fundamental concepts and methods of the whole field of mathematics. It is an easily understandable introduction for the layman and helps to give the mathematical student a general view of the basic principles and methods."

New York Times

"Without doubt, the work will have great influence. It should be in the hands of everyone, professional or otherwise, who is interested in scientific thinking."

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First Sentence
Number is the basis of modern mathematics. Read the first page

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	67% buy the item featured on this page: What is Mathematics?: An Elementary Approach to Ideas and Methods (Oxford paperbacks) 4.9 out of 5 stars (11)
	14% buy Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) 4.9 out of 5 stars (8) �4.36
	10% buy Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities 4.0 out of 5 stars (15) �5.49
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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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4.9 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic overview of pure mathematics, 7 Feb 2001

By A Customer

A wide-ranging overview of pure mathematics, first published in the 1940s, now re-issued and brought up to date with an additional chapter by Ian Stewart, this book is at the level of a capable student at the higher end of high school mathematics (A-level in the UK) or the beginning of a mathematics degree.

The scope of this book is awesome, covering number theory, geometry, topology, calculus, and much more. The chapter on projective geometry is a real treat, as it explores a beautiful topic that has dropped out of the modern maths syllabus. The only noticeable omission is group theory, which gets only a passing mention.

The style is clear, although the pace is rapid, and the reader is expected to fill in some details. There is an emphasis throughout on rigour - where this is relaxed for the sake of brevity, this is clearly signalled.

An appendix of problems and exercises (without answers) encourages further exploration of each topic.

A true classic and an enhancement to any mathematician's bookshelf.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless., 16 April 2003

By	Palle E T Jorgensen "Palle Jorgensen" (Iowa City, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

Einstein writes..."Easily understandable." And Herman Weyl,..."It is a work of high perfection." It is both for
beginners and for scholars. The first edition by Courant and Robbins, has been revised, with love and care, by Ian Stewart.
Of the sciences, math stands out in the way some central ideas and tools are timeless. Key math ideas from our first mathematical experiences, perhaps early in life, often have more permanence this way. While the fads do change in math, there are some landmarks that remain, and which inspire generations. And they are as useful now as they were at their inception, the fundamentals of numbers, of geometry, of calculus and differential equations. The authors are ambitious in trying to cover the essetials within the span of 500 plus pages. You find the facts, presented in clear and engaging prose, and with lots of illustrations.

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll also learn lots of solid mathematics., 24 Jul 1998

By A Customer

So Einstein thought this book "easily understandable" ? Well, if you are a beginner at calculus you will not find it "easily understandable", for that would mean you didn't learn a single new thing! Calculus is perhaps the most profound and far-reaching discovery of the millenium, and is certainly not trivial. However, this magical book is the best possible introduction. It is written so that your perplexities will always be accompanied by so beautiful results or promises of results, that you will be more than ready to do the necessary efforts. These come, for instance, in the form of exercises and in the details of the demonstrations, which are all there. There is no cheating. Well, the book is not only about calculus. There are many previous chapters on theory of numbers, geometry, algebra, topology. But I think it culminates with calculus, and the preceding chapters serve as steps of a staircase leading to it. The new edition has the collaboratio! n of Ian Stewart, an inspired writer.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A lucid and exciting introduction indeed
What Courant and Robbins have managed to do is to write a book that not only introduces to some of the most fascinating aspects of mathematics, in a beautiful, challenging way,... Read more

Published 20 days ago by Jamie B.

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the beginner
Although well written this book isn't for someone who is looking to get into maths above what they learned at high school. Read more

Published 12 months ago by M. Bradshaw

5.0 out of 5 stars If God had a maths book under his pillow...
Forgiving my blasphemy above, this is an unsurpassably great maths book. This book is about beautiful maths beautifully written: it epitomises the romance and magnetism of... Read more

Published on 10 Jul 2005 by ksk

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on mathematics which I ever read!
This is a "must read" for every student of mathematics, engineering and the sciences. You will not fail to learn something.

Published on 26 Nov 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars a landmark book in history of teaching
If this book were taught in every high school class, as it should be, most politicians would have a very hard time in fooling people the way they do.

Published on 2 Nov 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for a math amateur
I am a college student, majoring in math, but not very far along in my major sequence. I found that this book gave me an understandable perspective on what might lie ahead in my... Read more

Published on 16 Jul 1998

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