Geometry and Algebra in Ancient Civilizations

by B.L. van der Waerden

Originally, my intention was to write a "History of Algebra," in two or three volumes. In preparing the first volume I saw that in ancient civiliza tions geometry and algebra cannot well be more and more sec tions on ancient geometry were added. Hence the new title of the "Geometry and Algebra in Ancient Civilizations." A subsequent volume on the history of modem algebra is in preparation. It will deal mainly with field theory, Galois theory and theory of groups. I want to express my deeply felt gratitude to all those who helped me in shaping this volume. In particular, I want to thank Donald Blackmore Wagner (Berkeley) who put at my disposal his English translation of the most interesting parts of the Chinese "Nine Chapters of the Art of Arith metic" and of Liu Hui's commentary to this classic, and also Jacques Se siano (Geneva), who kindly allowed me to use his translation of the re cently discovered Arabic text of four books of Diophantos not extant in Greek. Warm thanks are also due to Wyllis Bandler (Colchester, England) who read my English text very carefully and suggested several improve ments, and to Annemarie Fellmann (Frankfurt) and Erwin Neuenschwan der (Zurich) who helped me in correcting the proof sheets. Miss Fellmann also typed the manuscript and drew the figures. I also want to thank the editorial staff and production department of Springer-Verlag for their nice cooperation."

Genres: Mathematics, History, Geometry

223 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1983

About the author

Bartel Leendert van der Waerden (Dutch: [vɑn dər ˈʋaːrdən]; February 2, 1903 – January 12, 1996) was a Dutch mathematician and historian of mathematics.

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