Automotive Holiday Deals HolEdit Shop Women's Dresses Learn more nav_sap_SWP_6M_fly_beacon Train egg_2015 All-New Amazon Fire TV Beauty Gifts Gifts Under $100 Street Art Project Amazon Gift Card Offer aos aos aos Amazon Echo Starting at $49.99 Kindle Voyage AntMan Outdoor Deals on Amazon.com Deals

Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

  • Apple
  • Android
  • Windows Phone
  • Android

To get the free app, enter your email address or mobile phone number.
Download to your computer
Kindle Cloud Reader

Mathematics and Plausible Reasoning, Volume 1: Induction and Analogy in Mathematics Reprint Edition

by G. Polya (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 8 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0691025094
ISBN-10: 0691025096
Why is ISBN important?
ISBN
This bar-code number lets you verify that you're getting exactly the right version or edition of a book. The 13-digit and 10-digit formats both work.
Scan an ISBN with your phone
Use the Amazon App to scan ISBNs and compare prices.
Sell yours for a Gift Card
We'll buy it for $3.70
Learn More
Trade in now
Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest
Rent On clicking this link, a new layer will be open
$16.91 On clicking this link, a new layer will be open
Buy used On clicking this link, a new layer will be open
$17.99 On clicking this link, a new layer will be open
Buy new On clicking this link, a new layer will be open
$49.99 On clicking this link, a new layer will be open
More Buying Choices
30 New from $13.98 37 Used from $13.93 1 Collectible from $22.00
68 used & new from $13.93
See All Buying Options
Free Two-Day Shipping for College Students with Amazon Student Free%20Two-Day%20Shipping%20for%20College%20Students%20with%20Amazon%20Student

Best Books of the Month
See the Best Books of the Month
Want to know our Editors' picks for the best books of the month? Browse Best Books of the Month, featuring our favorite new books in more than a dozen categories.
$49.99 FREE Shipping. In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Frequently Bought Together

  • Mathematics and Plausible Reasoning, Volume 1: Induction and Analogy in Mathematics
  • +
  • Mathematics and Plausible Reasoning: Volume II Patterns of Plausible Inference
  • +
  • How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method (Princeton Science Library)
Total price: $116.20
One of these items ships sooner than the other. Show details
Buy the selected items together
NO_CONTENT_IN_FEATURE
Hero Quick Promo
Up to 85% Off Over 1,000 Kindle Books
Visit our Holiday Deals store and save up to 85% on more than 1,000 Kindle books. These deals are valid until December 31, 2015. Learn more

Product Details

  • Paperback: 296 pages
  • Publisher: Princeton University Press; Reprint edition (August 3, 1990)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0691025096
  • ISBN-13: 978-0691025094
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #220,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Customer Reviews

5 star
75%
4 star
25%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
See all 8 customer reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 59 people found the following review helpful
At the very root of mathematical discovery
By henrique fleming on August 7, 1998
Format: Paperback
One of the most beautiful books on scientific discovery. Read this book and then keep it at bedside for sheer amusement. Analogies are frequently the key to a discovery, but it is rare that this essential step receives credit. Here there is a collection of them: some of the most beautiful. Perhaps the most famous is Bernoulli's solution of the brachistochrone problem, based on an analogy with the path of light in the atmosphere. But there are many others, with comments and analysis by Polya, who spent a life thinking at these things. It's a pity he didn't include Riemann's "proof" of the theorem of conformal representation, based on an analogy with the physics of electrical currents on a surface. The reader can find it beautifully described in Richard Courant's "Dirichlet Principle".
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Good writing - good reading
By Dennis Mitton on December 14, 2005
Format: Paperback
The book delves deeply into logic and mathematical reasoning with quite a bit of intermediate math. While most of the chapters and concepts are mathematical Polya has skillfully made the reading easy and the concepts more universal. The book is really about thinking and looking at ideas with a clear light. Above all it's just good reading. Don't let the math scare you - there's lots of good stuff here.
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Be prepared to be amazed every few pages!
By Nihal Mehta on January 13, 2003
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
This book shows you how simple concepts when applied properly can lead to ingenious solutions. For example, the author's proof of the Pythagorean Theorem will leave you shocked by its amazing elegance. And, there are several of these throughout the book.
Read this book. It's money more than well spent.
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Required Reading
By Stick-In-The-Mud on February 12, 2009
Format: Paperback
Though a math book, this is one of the best explanation of scientific reasoning ever written. I am amazed at the shoddy reasoning that now passes as 'scientific'. I assume that science majors are no longer expected to study more than basic calculus and probability unless they are physics majors. This is unfortunate. This book and its second volume would go a long way in clearing up sloppy thinking. Anyone interested in clear thinking, regardless of their interests and background, could do worse than study these books.
2 Comments Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more
Mathematics and Plausible Reasoning, Volume 1: Induction and Analogy in Mathematics
This item: Mathematics and Plausible Reasoning, Volume 1: Induction and Analogy in Mathematics
Price: $49.99
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com
Set up a giveaway

There's a problem loading this menu right now.

Learn more about Amazon Prime.



Want to discover more products? Check out this page to see more: math puzzles