From Pythagoras to Einstein

Anneli Lax New Mathematical Library

by K.O. Friedrichs

The main thread running through this somewhat unorthodox approach to the special theory of relativity is the Pythagorean theorem. It appears in its most elementary geometric form in the very beginning of this monograph. Then it reappears in algebraic garb, is further modified and finally reinterpreted to play the role of one of the main characters in the special theory of relativity.

The first four chapters are easily accessible to high school sophmores or juniors. the remaining part of the book may be a little difficult for students who never studied physics, although the author actually employs only the notion of impact and presupposes no background in physics. With the aid of the vector geometry introduced earlier, he leads the reader from the impact conversation laws to the famous formula e=mc2.

Genres: Mathematics

97 pages, ebook

First published December 1, 1965

About the author

Kurt Otto Friedrichs

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Pythagoras to Einstein pays homage to a golden age in Mathematics education. The tone and presentation is boarding-school nostalgic, like a page from a Fitzgerald novel.

My major complaint is that, near the end, the assumptions and conclusions are somewhat mixed up. This book is supposedly intended for High School students, however, for a credentialed actuary, the reading was not light near the end. The author seems to have lost his attention to clear explanation in the final chapters.

A fun read for anyone looking for a reminder on the geometry behind relativity theory.