Pi: A Source Book [Hardcover]

Lennart Berggren (Author), Peter B. Borwein (Author), Jonathan M. Borwein (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0387989463 | ISBN-13: 978-0387989464 | Publication Date: October 1999 | Edition: 2nd

A complete history of pi from the dawn of mathematical time to the present, reflecting the most seminal, the most serious and sometimes the silliest aspects of mathematics. Pi is one of the few concepts in mathematics whose mention evokes a response of recognition and interest in those not concerned professionally with the subject. Yet, despite this, no source book on pi has been published. The literature on pi included here falls into three classes: first a selection of the mathematical literature of four millennia, followed by a variety of historical studies or writings on the cultural meaning and significance of the number, and third, a number of treatments on pi that are fanciful, satirical and/or whimsical. Mathematicians and historians of mathematics will find this book indispensable, while teachers at every level from the seventh grade onward will find ample resources for an

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "Few mathematics books serve a wider potential readership than does a source book and this particular one is admirably designed to cater for a broad spectrum of tastes: professional mathematicians with research interest in related subjects, historians of mathematics, teachers at all levels searching out material for individual talks and student projects, and amateurs who will find much to amuse and inform them in this leafy tome. The authors are to be congratulated on their good taste in preparing such a rich and varied banquet with which to celebrate pi." Roger Webster for the Bulletin of the LMS "The judicious representative selection makes this a useful addition to one's library as a reference book, an enjoyable survey of developments and a source of elegant and deep mathematics of different eras." Ed Barbeau for MathSciNet "Full of useful formulas and ideas, it is a vast source of inspiration to any mathematician, A level and upwards—a necessity in any maths library." New Scientist "Should be on every mathematician’s coffee-table! … The seventy articles comprising the source-book proper range from historical articles and classic by such players as Wallis, Huyghens, Newton, and Euler, to the articles on irrationality and transcendence … . Pi: A source Book is truly an amazing book, irresistible in its own way, and filled with gems. And once it’s on your coffee-table, feel free to do more than just browse: it’s pretty well-suited for more in-depth study … . Obviously the book is highly recommended." (Michael Berg, MathDL, January, 2001) From the reviews of the third edition: "This is the third edition of the by now classical Pi: a source book. … contains some notes on the computation of individual (binary) digits of p, some considerations on the normality of the decimal expansion of p, and two more sections on the history of p. This book is still a classic work of reference for anyone with an interest in fascinating Pi.” (F. Beukers, Mathematical Reviews, 2005h) "The book documents the history of pi from the dawn of mathematical time to the present. One of the beauties of the literature on pi is that it allows for the inclusion of very modern, yet accessible, mathematics. The articles on pi collected herein include selections from the mathematical and computational literature over four millennia, a variety of historical studies on the cultural significance of the number, and an assortment of anecdotal, fanciful, and simply amusing pieces." (Zentralblatt für Didaktik der Mathematik, November, 2004) "This is the third edition of a comprehensive selection of about 70 articles on the number pi and related constants. … This edition contains a new supplement on the recent history of the computation of digits of pi … . Furthermore, new translations of articles by Viète and Huygens have been added. Altogether, this volume provides a fascinating overview of many hundred years of research and will delight and enlighten amateur lovers of pi and professional mathematicians alike." (Ch. Baxa, Monatshefte für Mathematik, Vol. 148 (1), 2006) "This is a fascinating reference book, which consists almost entirely of facsimiles of 70 articles about pi, followed by appendices which look at its early history as well as much computational information. … it should be something to appear in any mathematical library, as it does contain so much material. … There is something for all levels of readers in this book, from the 14-year old who may wish to know a little of the history, to the professional mathematician seeking information … ." (Anthony C. Robin, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 90 (518), 2006) --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Back Cover

This book documents the history of pi from the dawn of mathematical time to the present. One of the beauties of the literature on pi is that it allows for the inclusion of very modern, yet accessible, mathematics. The articles on pi collected herein include selections from the mathematical and computational literature over four millennia, a variety of historical studies on the cultural significance of the number, and an assortment of anecdotal, fanciful, and simply amusing pieces. For this new edition, the authors have updated the original material while adding new material of historical and cultural interest. There is a substantial exposition of the recent history of the computation of digits of pi, a discussion of the normality of the distribution of the digits, new translations of works by Viete and Huygen, as well as Kaplansky's never-before-published "Song of Pi." From the reviews of earlier editions: "Few mathematics books serve a wider potential readership than does a source book and this particular one is admirably designed to cater for a broad spectrum of tastes: professional mathematicians with research interest in related subjects, historians of mathematics, teachers at all levels searching out material for individual talks and student projects, and amateurs who will find much to amuse and inform them in this leafy tome. The authors are to be congratulated on their good taste in preparing such a rich and varied banquet with which to celebrate pi." - Roger Webster for the Bulletin of the LMS "The judicious representative selection makes this a useful addition to one's library as a reference book, an enjoyable survey of developments and a source of elegant and deep mathematics of different eras." - Ed Barbeau for MathSciNet "Full of useful formulas and ideas, it is a vast source of inspiration to any mathematician, A level and upwards-a necessity in any maths library." - New Scientist --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 752 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 2nd edition (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387989463
• ISBN-13: 978-0387989464
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,750,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jonathan Michael Borwein, FRSC, FAAAS,FBAS, FAA is currently Laureate Professor in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of Newcastle (NSW). He directs the University's Priority Research Centre in Computer Assisted Research Mathematics and its Applications (CARMA).

A Rhodes Scholar, his research interests span pure (analysis), applied (optimization), computational (numerical and computational analysis) mathematics, and high performance computing. He has authored over a dozen books---most recently four on Experimental Mathematics (www.experimentalmath.info) and a 2010 book on Convex Functions---and over 350 refereed publications.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably THE collection about all there is to know about Pi!, July 20, 2004

By 

Martijn13Maart1970 (Husavik Iceland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pi: A Source Book (Hardcover)

This book hosts almost all there is to know and is known, about the worlds favorite transcendental constant. ALso many proofs of the nature on pi. e.g. the one by Hilbert and Lindemann. As well as the proof of the irrationality of zeta(3).

Definitely worth the money, and this book should be famous but it isnt!

Mostly for the advanced math person though, but lots of articles for the layman!

Enjoy!