Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning (Dover Books on Mathematics) [Paperback]

A. D. Aleksandrov (Author), A. N. Kolmogorov (Author), M. A. Lavrent'ev (Author), Mathematics (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0486409163 | ISBN-13: 978-0486409160 | Publication Date: July 7, 1999

This major survey features the work of 18 outstanding mathematicians. Primary subjects include analytic geometry, algebra, ordinary and partial differential equations, the calculus of variations, functions of a complex variable, prime numbers, and theories of probability and functions. Other topics include linear and non-Euclidean geometry, topology, functional analysis, more. 1963 edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1120 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (July 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486409163
• ISBN-13: 978-0486409160
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Additional comments to my previous review, May 2, 2000

By 

Ryuji Suzuki (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

In addition to my previous review, concerning the contents, here are a few additions on physical aspects.

This 1999 paperback edition has all three volumes in one binding. The paper is thinner so the book is less bulky. Page number resets at the beginning of volume 2 and 3. (not renumbered.) Thus the book content is not altered from the 2nd edition (three volumes set) from MIT Press in 1969.

One major change is that there is one index at the end of the book which covers all three volumes. The volume is indicated together with the page number. This improves the convenience.

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for math fans, October 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

I whole-heartedly agree with the other positive reviews offered here. There are only a few things I would like to add:

(1) Popular math and science has become quite popular lately. I'm sure that there are many pop-math/pop-sci readers who would like a more 'meatier' treatment of math that still has an accessible style. If you're in that group, then this book is for you.

It basically requires recollection of high school algebra and a willingness to wade through and learn some challenging material. I should add that the book looks intimidating in size but this is mostly due to the fact that Dover has bound 3 volumes as 1 (which is actually a great deal for readers).

(2) I can't think of too may books that can, with effort, take a novice through the bulk of a college/university level math curriculum.

(3) This book contains material by 2 of the greatest mathematicians/scientists of all time: Andrei Kolmogorov (famous for his work on probability and information theory as well as Kolmogorov Complexity/Algorithmic Information Theory) and I. M. Gelfand (for his work on mathematical physics). The book is worth buying for that reason alone.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mathematics : Its Content, Methods and Meaning, May 4, 2000

By 

David Liu - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

It is a wonderful book. It reminds me of "The Feynman Lectures" in that it focuses on understanding, is (relatively) accessibly, has an incredible depth, and in that it covers an amazing amount. It includes "real" instruction, and you would be able to "do problems" after reading the book, although the real focus is more on understanding/ conceptual stuff.