A History of Algorithms: From the Pebble to the Microchip [Paperback]

Jean-Luc Chabert (Editor), C. Weeks (Translator), E. Barbin (Contributor), J. Borowczyk (Contributor), J.-L. Chabert (Contributor), M. Guillemot (Contributor), A. Michel-Pajus (Contributor), A. Djebbar (Contributor), J.-C. Martzloff (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 3540633693 | ISBN-13: 978-3540633693 | Publication Date: August 1, 1999 | Edition: 1

The development of computing has reawakened interest in algorithms. Often neglected by historians and modern scientists, algorithmic procedures have been instrumental in the development of fundamental ideas: practice led to theory just as much as the other way round. The purpose of this book is to offer a historical background to contemporary algorithmic practice.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

From the Back Cover

A Source Book for the History of Mathematics, but one which offers a different perspective by focusing on algorithms. With the development of computing has come an awakening of interest in algorithms. Often neglegted by historians and modern scientists, more concerned with the nature of concepts, algorithmic procedures turn out to have been instrumental in the development of fundamental ideas: practice led to theory just as much as the other way round. The purpose of this book is to offer a historical background to contemporary algorithmic practice. Each chapter centres around a theme, more or less in chronological order, and the story is told through the reading of over 200 original texts, faithfully reproduced. This provides an opportunity for the reader to sit alongside such mathematicians as Archimedes, Omar Khayyam, Newton, Euler and Gauss as they explain their techniques. The book ends with an account of the development of the modern concept of algorithm.

Product Details

• Paperback: 533 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540633693
• ISBN-13: 978-3540633693
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,522,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very well presented history of algorithms for applied math, March 30, 2000

By 

james (Geneva, Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Algorithms: From the Pebble to the Microchip (Paperback)

A very nice book that focuses on algorithms in applied mathematics through the work of their creators. The readers might need a bit of a background (say a year or two of university level math) but not more because the presentation and symbolism are very clear.

The style is simple, most sections start with an intro, followed by a short extract written by an original author (say Newton or Gauss), to finish with explanation or highlights refering to the text. This is what makes the book so good, throughout the book is a great feeling of discovery in its context. When you read a section on Gauss it is right after the section on Fermat and the flow of ideas is really well presented.

So if you like mathematics and want to get a nice overview of algorithms in applied mathematics this is the book to buy.