Author: Robert Hahn
Publisher: State University of New York Press
ISBN: 1438464916
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 301
Book Description
Bringing together geometry and philosophy, this book undertakes a strikingly original study of the origins and significance of the Pythagorean theorem. Thales, whom Aristotle called the first philosopher and who was an older contemporary of Pythagoras, posited the principle of a unity from which all things come, and back into which they return upon dissolution. He held that all appearances are only alterations of this basic unity and there can be no change in the cosmos. Such an account requires some fundamental geometric figure out of which appearances are structured. Robert Hahn argues that Thales came to the conclusion that it was the right triangle: by recombination and repackaging, all alterations can be explained from that figure. This idea is central to what the discovery of the Pythagorean theorem could have meant to Thales and Pythagoras in the sixth century BCE. With more than two hundred illustrations and figures, Hahn provides a series of geometric proofs for this lost narrative, tracing it from Thales to Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans who followed, and then finally to Plato's Timaeus. Uncovering the philosophical motivation behind the discovery of the theorem, Hahn's book will enrich the study of ancient philosophy and mathematics alike.
The Metaphysics of the Pythagorean Theorem
Author: Robert Hahn
Publisher: State University of New York Press
ISBN: 1438464916
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 301
Book Description
Bringing together geometry and philosophy, this book undertakes a strikingly original study of the origins and significance of the Pythagorean theorem. Thales, whom Aristotle called the first philosopher and who was an older contemporary of Pythagoras, posited the principle of a unity from which all things come, and back into which they return upon dissolution. He held that all appearances are only alterations of this basic unity and there can be no change in the cosmos. Such an account requires some fundamental geometric figure out of which appearances are structured. Robert Hahn argues that Thales came to the conclusion that it was the right triangle: by recombination and repackaging, all alterations can be explained from that figure. This idea is central to what the discovery of the Pythagorean theorem could have meant to Thales and Pythagoras in the sixth century BCE. With more than two hundred illustrations and figures, Hahn provides a series of geometric proofs for this lost narrative, tracing it from Thales to Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans who followed, and then finally to Plato's Timaeus. Uncovering the philosophical motivation behind the discovery of the theorem, Hahn's book will enrich the study of ancient philosophy and mathematics alike.
Publisher: State University of New York Press
ISBN: 1438464916
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 301
Book Description
Bringing together geometry and philosophy, this book undertakes a strikingly original study of the origins and significance of the Pythagorean theorem. Thales, whom Aristotle called the first philosopher and who was an older contemporary of Pythagoras, posited the principle of a unity from which all things come, and back into which they return upon dissolution. He held that all appearances are only alterations of this basic unity and there can be no change in the cosmos. Such an account requires some fundamental geometric figure out of which appearances are structured. Robert Hahn argues that Thales came to the conclusion that it was the right triangle: by recombination and repackaging, all alterations can be explained from that figure. This idea is central to what the discovery of the Pythagorean theorem could have meant to Thales and Pythagoras in the sixth century BCE. With more than two hundred illustrations and figures, Hahn provides a series of geometric proofs for this lost narrative, tracing it from Thales to Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans who followed, and then finally to Plato's Timaeus. Uncovering the philosophical motivation behind the discovery of the theorem, Hahn's book will enrich the study of ancient philosophy and mathematics alike.
The Pythagorean Theorem
Author: Eli Maor
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691196885
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 284
Book Description
Frontmatter --Contents --List of Color Plates --Preface --Prologue: Cambridge, England, 1993 --1. Mesopotamia, 1800 BCE --Sidebar 1: Did the Egyptians Know It? --2. Pythagoras --3. Euclid's Elements --Sidebar 2: The Pythagorean Theorem in Art, Poetry, and Prose --4. Archimedes --5. Translators and Commentators, 500-1500 CE --6. François Viète Makes History --7. From the Infinite to the Infinitesimal --Sidebar 3: A Remarkable Formula by Euler --8. 371 Proofs, and Then Some --Sidebar 4: The Folding Bag --Sidebar 5: Einstein Meets Pythagoras --Sidebar 6: A Most Unusual Proof --9. A Theme and Variations --Sidebar 7: A Pythagorean Curiosity --Sidebar 8: A Case of Overuse --10. Strange Coordinates --11. Notation, Notation, Notation --12. From Flat Space to Curved Spacetime --Sidebar 9: A Case of Misuse --13. Prelude to Relativity --14. From Bern to Berlin, 1905-1915 --Sidebar 10: Four Pythagorean Brainteasers --15. But Is It Universal? --16. Afterthoughts --Epilogue: Samos, 2005 --Appendixes --Chronology --Bibliography --Illustrations Credits --Index.
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691196885
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 284
Book Description
Frontmatter --Contents --List of Color Plates --Preface --Prologue: Cambridge, England, 1993 --1. Mesopotamia, 1800 BCE --Sidebar 1: Did the Egyptians Know It? --2. Pythagoras --3. Euclid's Elements --Sidebar 2: The Pythagorean Theorem in Art, Poetry, and Prose --4. Archimedes --5. Translators and Commentators, 500-1500 CE --6. François Viète Makes History --7. From the Infinite to the Infinitesimal --Sidebar 3: A Remarkable Formula by Euler --8. 371 Proofs, and Then Some --Sidebar 4: The Folding Bag --Sidebar 5: Einstein Meets Pythagoras --Sidebar 6: A Most Unusual Proof --9. A Theme and Variations --Sidebar 7: A Pythagorean Curiosity --Sidebar 8: A Case of Overuse --10. Strange Coordinates --11. Notation, Notation, Notation --12. From Flat Space to Curved Spacetime --Sidebar 9: A Case of Misuse --13. Prelude to Relativity --14. From Bern to Berlin, 1905-1915 --Sidebar 10: Four Pythagorean Brainteasers --15. But Is It Universal? --16. Afterthoughts --Epilogue: Samos, 2005 --Appendixes --Chronology --Bibliography --Illustrations Credits --Index.
Pythagoras & His Theorem
Author: Paul Strathern
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 9780099237525
Category : Biography
Languages : en
Pages : 90
Book Description
At a moment of great discovery, one Big Idea can change the world... Pythagoras was arguably the first 'genius' of Western culture, establishing a blend of high intellect and high lunacy, both of which have become recurrent features of this scholarly heritage.Most memorably, he created the Pythagorean Theorem, and established the concept of proofs in mathematics. Less well known was the religion he founded which forbade his disciples from eating beans or stepping over fallen poles! Pythagoras & His Theorem tells the remarkable story of the life of this poorly understood genius and the transformation his work brought about in mathematics. Pythagoras' Big Idea is presented in an accessible and enthralling way, providing an explanation of the meaning of his work, its historical and scientific context, and significance for the world in which we live. The Big Idea series is a fascinating look at the greatest advances in our scientific history, and at the men and women who made these fundamental breakthroughs.
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 9780099237525
Category : Biography
Languages : en
Pages : 90
Book Description
At a moment of great discovery, one Big Idea can change the world... Pythagoras was arguably the first 'genius' of Western culture, establishing a blend of high intellect and high lunacy, both of which have become recurrent features of this scholarly heritage.Most memorably, he created the Pythagorean Theorem, and established the concept of proofs in mathematics. Less well known was the religion he founded which forbade his disciples from eating beans or stepping over fallen poles! Pythagoras & His Theorem tells the remarkable story of the life of this poorly understood genius and the transformation his work brought about in mathematics. Pythagoras' Big Idea is presented in an accessible and enthralling way, providing an explanation of the meaning of his work, its historical and scientific context, and significance for the world in which we live. The Big Idea series is a fascinating look at the greatest advances in our scientific history, and at the men and women who made these fundamental breakthroughs.
Math with Bad Drawings
Author: Ben Orlin
Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal
ISBN: 0316509027
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 556
Book Description
A hilarious reeducation in mathematics-full of joy, jokes, and stick figures-that sheds light on the countless practical and wonderful ways that math structures and shapes our world. In Math With Bad Drawings, Ben Orlin reveals to us what math actually is; its myriad uses, its strange symbols, and the wild leaps of logic and faith that define the usually impenetrable work of the mathematician. Truth and knowledge come in multiple forms: colorful drawings, encouraging jokes, and the stories and insights of an empathetic teacher who believes that math should belong to everyone. Orlin shows us how to think like a mathematician by teaching us a brand-new game of tic-tac-toe, how to understand an economic crises by rolling a pair of dice, and the mathematical headache that ensues when attempting to build a spherical Death Star. Every discussion in the book is illustrated with Orlin's trademark "bad drawings," which convey his message and insights with perfect pitch and clarity. With 24 chapters covering topics from the electoral college to human genetics to the reasons not to trust statistics, Math with Bad Drawings is a life-changing book for the math-estranged and math-enamored alike.
Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal
ISBN: 0316509027
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 556
Book Description
A hilarious reeducation in mathematics-full of joy, jokes, and stick figures-that sheds light on the countless practical and wonderful ways that math structures and shapes our world. In Math With Bad Drawings, Ben Orlin reveals to us what math actually is; its myriad uses, its strange symbols, and the wild leaps of logic and faith that define the usually impenetrable work of the mathematician. Truth and knowledge come in multiple forms: colorful drawings, encouraging jokes, and the stories and insights of an empathetic teacher who believes that math should belong to everyone. Orlin shows us how to think like a mathematician by teaching us a brand-new game of tic-tac-toe, how to understand an economic crises by rolling a pair of dice, and the mathematical headache that ensues when attempting to build a spherical Death Star. Every discussion in the book is illustrated with Orlin's trademark "bad drawings," which convey his message and insights with perfect pitch and clarity. With 24 chapters covering topics from the electoral college to human genetics to the reasons not to trust statistics, Math with Bad Drawings is a life-changing book for the math-estranged and math-enamored alike.
Euclid's Elements
Author: Euclid
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 544
Book Description
"The book includes introductions, terminology and biographical notes, bibliography, and an index and glossary" --from book jacket.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 544
Book Description
"The book includes introductions, terminology and biographical notes, bibliography, and an index and glossary" --from book jacket.
The Pythagorean Theorem
Author: Merle A. Barlow
Publisher: WestBow Press
ISBN: 9781512727548
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Pythagoras, a famous Greek scholar, sathematician, and philosopher, formulated a proof for a theorem that is named for him-the Pythagorean theorem. This theorem states that in any right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. The Pythagorean theorem for right-angled triangles likely was known long before the time of Pythagoras. It was probably used by the ancient Egyptians to construct the pyramids. The theorem is quite believable without rigorous proof to anyone willing to expend a modest effort in some experimentation. One method is to draw a number of right-angled triangles in as wide a variety as practicable and measure all of the sides. It will be determined that, for each triangle drawn, the square of the length of the side opposite the right angle is about equal to the sum of the lengths of the squares of the other two sides. Another method requires the availability of a balance. For this more interesting experiment, construct a right-angled triangle and a square on each side using a piece of sheet metal or cardboard. Then cut out the three squares and weigh them on the balance. The square on the hypotenuse should balance the other two. Contained within this book are some rigorous proofs and some interesting perspectives regarding right angles and right-angled triangles. Doubtless, this theorem is one of the most useful concepts in mathematics.
Publisher: WestBow Press
ISBN: 9781512727548
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Pythagoras, a famous Greek scholar, sathematician, and philosopher, formulated a proof for a theorem that is named for him-the Pythagorean theorem. This theorem states that in any right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. The Pythagorean theorem for right-angled triangles likely was known long before the time of Pythagoras. It was probably used by the ancient Egyptians to construct the pyramids. The theorem is quite believable without rigorous proof to anyone willing to expend a modest effort in some experimentation. One method is to draw a number of right-angled triangles in as wide a variety as practicable and measure all of the sides. It will be determined that, for each triangle drawn, the square of the length of the side opposite the right angle is about equal to the sum of the lengths of the squares of the other two sides. Another method requires the availability of a balance. For this more interesting experiment, construct a right-angled triangle and a square on each side using a piece of sheet metal or cardboard. Then cut out the three squares and weigh them on the balance. The square on the hypotenuse should balance the other two. Contained within this book are some rigorous proofs and some interesting perspectives regarding right angles and right-angled triangles. Doubtless, this theorem is one of the most useful concepts in mathematics.
Pythagorean Triangles
Author: Waclaw Sierpinski
Publisher: Courier Corporation
ISBN: 0486432785
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 130
Book Description
The study of the arithmetical properties of triangles dates back to ancient Greece, and possibly beyond. This classic text, written by a distinguished mathematician and teacher, focuses on a fundamental cornerstone of elementary geometry, the theorem of Pythagoras, and its applications. Unabridged republication of the edition published by the Graduate School of Science, Yeshiva University, New York, 1962. Translated by Dr. Ambikeshwar Sharma.
Publisher: Courier Corporation
ISBN: 0486432785
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 130
Book Description
The study of the arithmetical properties of triangles dates back to ancient Greece, and possibly beyond. This classic text, written by a distinguished mathematician and teacher, focuses on a fundamental cornerstone of elementary geometry, the theorem of Pythagoras, and its applications. Unabridged republication of the edition published by the Graduate School of Science, Yeshiva University, New York, 1962. Translated by Dr. Ambikeshwar Sharma.
The Pythagorean Theorem
Author: Alfred S. Posamentier
Publisher: Prometheus Books
ISBN: 1616143215
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 320
Book Description
The Pythagorean theorem may be the best-known equation in mathematics. Its origins reach back to the beginnings of civilization, and today every student continues to study it. What most nonmathematicians don''t understand or appreciate is why this simply stated theorem has fascinated countless generations. In this entertaining and informative book, a veteran math educator makes the importance of the Pythagorean theorem delightfully clear.He begins with a brief history of Pythagoras and the early use of his theorem by the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Indians, and Chinese, who used it intuitively long before Pythagoras''s name was attached to it. He then shows the many ingenious ways in which the theorem has been proved visually using highly imaginative diagrams. Some of these go back to ancient mathematicians; others are comparatively recent proofs, including one by the twentieth president of the United States, James A. Garfield. After demonstrating some curious applications of the theorem, the author then explores the Pythagorean triples, pointing out the many hidden surprises of the three numbers that can represent the sides of the right triangle (e.g, 3, 4, 5 and 5, 12, 13). And many will truly amaze the reader. He then turns to the "Pythagorean means" (the arithmetic, geometric, and harmonic means). By comparing their magnitudes in a variety of ways, he gives the reader a true appreciation for these mathematical concepts. The final two chapters view the Pythagorean theorem from an artistic point of view - namely, how Pythagoras''s work manifests itself in music and how the Pythagorean theorem can influence fractals. The author''s lucid presentation and gift for conveying the significance of this key equation to those with little math background will inform, entertain, and inspire the reader, once again demonstrating the power and beauty of mathematics!
Publisher: Prometheus Books
ISBN: 1616143215
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 320
Book Description
The Pythagorean theorem may be the best-known equation in mathematics. Its origins reach back to the beginnings of civilization, and today every student continues to study it. What most nonmathematicians don''t understand or appreciate is why this simply stated theorem has fascinated countless generations. In this entertaining and informative book, a veteran math educator makes the importance of the Pythagorean theorem delightfully clear.He begins with a brief history of Pythagoras and the early use of his theorem by the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Indians, and Chinese, who used it intuitively long before Pythagoras''s name was attached to it. He then shows the many ingenious ways in which the theorem has been proved visually using highly imaginative diagrams. Some of these go back to ancient mathematicians; others are comparatively recent proofs, including one by the twentieth president of the United States, James A. Garfield. After demonstrating some curious applications of the theorem, the author then explores the Pythagorean triples, pointing out the many hidden surprises of the three numbers that can represent the sides of the right triangle (e.g, 3, 4, 5 and 5, 12, 13). And many will truly amaze the reader. He then turns to the "Pythagorean means" (the arithmetic, geometric, and harmonic means). By comparing their magnitudes in a variety of ways, he gives the reader a true appreciation for these mathematical concepts. The final two chapters view the Pythagorean theorem from an artistic point of view - namely, how Pythagoras''s work manifests itself in music and how the Pythagorean theorem can influence fractals. The author''s lucid presentation and gift for conveying the significance of this key equation to those with little math background will inform, entertain, and inspire the reader, once again demonstrating the power and beauty of mathematics!
Hidden Harmonies
Author: Ellen Kaplan
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 1596915226
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 304
Book Description
The Harvard mathematician authors of The Art of the Infinite present a history of the famous relation "A squared plus B squared equals C squared" that assesses its contributors from da Vinci to the Freemasons while analyzing its numerous proofs and applications.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 1596915226
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 304
Book Description
The Harvard mathematician authors of The Art of the Infinite present a history of the famous relation "A squared plus B squared equals C squared" that assesses its contributors from da Vinci to the Freemasons while analyzing its numerous proofs and applications.
Pythagoras
Author: Thomas Stanley
Publisher: Nicolas-Hays, Inc.
ISBN: 0892545879
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 357
Book Description
The timeless brilliance of this exhaustive survey of the best classical writers of antiquity on Pythagoras was first published in 1687 in Thomas Stanley’s massive tome, The History of Philosophy. It remains as contemporary today as it was over three hundred years ago. The text of the 1687 book has been reset and modernized to make it more accessible to the modern reader. Spelling has been regularized, obsolete words not found in a modern dictionary have been replaced, and contemporary conventions of punctuation have been used. Biographical sketches of Thomas Stanley and Pythagoras by Manly Palmer Hall, founder of the Philosophical Research Society, have been included, along with a profound overview of Pythagorean philosophy by Platonic scholar Dr. Henry L. Drake. The extensive Greek language references throughout the text have been corrected and contextualized, and reset in a modern Greek font. Each quotation has been verified with the source document in Greek. An extensive annotated appendix of these classical sources is included. A complete bibliography details all the reference works utilized, and a small Glossary defines a number of terms, especially those from musical theory, which may be unfamiliar to the non-technical reader.
Publisher: Nicolas-Hays, Inc.
ISBN: 0892545879
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 357
Book Description
The timeless brilliance of this exhaustive survey of the best classical writers of antiquity on Pythagoras was first published in 1687 in Thomas Stanley’s massive tome, The History of Philosophy. It remains as contemporary today as it was over three hundred years ago. The text of the 1687 book has been reset and modernized to make it more accessible to the modern reader. Spelling has been regularized, obsolete words not found in a modern dictionary have been replaced, and contemporary conventions of punctuation have been used. Biographical sketches of Thomas Stanley and Pythagoras by Manly Palmer Hall, founder of the Philosophical Research Society, have been included, along with a profound overview of Pythagorean philosophy by Platonic scholar Dr. Henry L. Drake. The extensive Greek language references throughout the text have been corrected and contextualized, and reset in a modern Greek font. Each quotation has been verified with the source document in Greek. An extensive annotated appendix of these classical sources is included. A complete bibliography details all the reference works utilized, and a small Glossary defines a number of terms, especially those from musical theory, which may be unfamiliar to the non-technical reader.