Algebra in Ancient and Modern Times (Mathematical World) (Paperback)

by V. S. Varadarajan (Author) "In the front of the book there are two tablets containing the names of some mathematicians and their life spans..." (more)
Key Phrases: pythagorean triplets, general cubic equation, biquadratic equations, Scipione del Ferro, Ars Magna, Luca Pacioli (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This text offers a special account of Indian work in diophantine equations during the 6th through 12th centuries and Italian work on solutions of cubic and biquadratic equations from the 11th through 16th centuries. The volume traces the historical development of algebra and the theory of equations from ancient times to the beginning of modern algebra, outlining some modern themes such as the fundamental theorem of algebra, Clifford algebras, and quarternions. It is geared toward undergraduates who have no background in calculus.

Product Details

• Paperback: 142 pages
• Publisher: American Mathematical Society; 1 edition (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082180989X
• ISBN-13: 978-0821809891
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,081,080 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Algebra in Ancient and Modern Times: A Teacher's Perspectiv, May 1, 2000

By	gina Bowles (USA) - See all my reviews

This book by V.S. Varadarajan gives a broad historical overview of the evolution of algeba as an independent field of mathematics. Varadarajan does an outstanding job of developing complex mathematical concepts in a step-by-step format.

The text begins, naturally, with the early Greek mathematicians and the first few chapters are about Euclid, Archimedes, counting principles of the ancient Egyptians, etc. Although the author does not devote much space to this early history, enough detail is provided to use this book as a reference in a mathematical classroom.

Section one then proceeds to the period of Cardano, Tartalegia, Ferrari and the mathematical competitions that have become so famous. Not only does the author give a standard account of the conflicts that arose over the publication of Cardano's Ars Magna, he also writes tremendous detail on the supporting equations and terms. Terms such as quadratic, multiple roots, polynomial and others are defined for the high school scholar, yet the text does not seem depreciating to students studying higher level college mathematics.

The third and final section of Algebra in Ancient and Modern Times, is devoted to Guass, whose work the author is obviously enthralled with, and other period four mathematicians. This section develops modern group theory, vector analysis and matrix algebra. The detail is again well written and enough historical content is given that, again, this book becomes a historical reference as well.

Overall, I would reccommend this to any teacher. It would be an excellent addition to a classroom bookshelf for students from high school to graduate students in college. There are additional problems and short notes that could be accessed and referenced as well as using the book for a student material.

I reviewed the book originally for a History of Mathematics course at the University of Lousiville and was quite pleased with my selection.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Algebra in Ancient and Modern Times: A Teacher's Perspectiv, May 1, 2000

By	gina Bowles (USA) - See all my reviews

This book by V.S. Varadarajan gives a broad historical overview of the evolution of algeba as an independent field of mathematics. Varadarajan does an outstanding job of developing complex mathematical concepts in a step-by-step format.

The text begins, naturally, with the early Greek mathematicians and the first few chapters are about Euclid, Archimedes, counting principles of the ancient Egyptians, etc. Although the author does not devote much space to this early history, enough detail is provided to use this book as a reference in a mathematical classroom.

Section one then proceeds to the period of Cardano, Tartalegia, Ferrari and the mathematical competitions that have become so famous. Not only does the author give a standard account of the conflicts that arose over the publication of Cardano's Ars Magna, he also writes tremendous detail on the supporting equations and terms. Terms such as quadratic, multiple roots, polynomial and others are defined for the high school scholar, yet the text does not seem depreciating to students studying higher level college mathematics.

The third and final section of Algebra in Ancient and Modern Times, is devoted to Guass, whose work the author is obviously enthralled with, and other period four mathematicians. This section develops modern group theory, vector analysis and matrix algebra. The detail is again well written and enough historical content is given that, again, this book becomes a historical reference as well.

Overall, I would reccommend this to any teacher. It would be an excellent addition to a classroom bookshelf for students from high school to graduate students in college. There are additional problems and short notes that could be accessed and referenced as well as using the book for a student material.

I reviewed the book originally for a History of Mathematics course at the University of Lousiville and was quite pleased with my selection.