An Introduction to Mathematics
Assigned by 2 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- 1911
- Language
- English
- Length
- Medium · 190 pp120 to 300 pages
- Difficulty
- Moderate2 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendAn Introduction to MathematicsDover, 2017Cheap reprint of the 1911 text, which is unchanged in all later editions.
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A short book written for the Home University Library to explain to non-mathematicians what mathematics is about. Whitehead argues that its power lies in abstraction and the use of variables, and then walks through the ideas of number, imaginary numbers, coordinate geometry, periodicity, trigonometry, series, the differential calculus and the notion of a limit, ending with a chapter on the conceptual basis of geometry. It contains almost no exercises and few formal proofs; the aim is to show the growth of general ideas and their connection to physics.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns An Introduction to Mathematics are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
