A History of Mathematics: From Antiquity to the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century

by J.F. Scott

Traces the development of a body of mathematical knowledge, focusing on noteworthy discoveries and quoting from the works of past mathematicians

Hardcover

First published June 1, 1969

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

J.F. Scott B.A.. M.Sc., Ph.D.

Reviews

[V. Subhash · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very old book and is used as a standard reference by the Encyclopedia Britannica. The author seems pretty annoyed to find that ancient Indians had invented of the decimal system and the algebra, thereby laying the foundation for modern mathematics. So, the author veers off into genetics to bring out a novel explanation - hybrid vigor. Crossbreeding between "Aryans" from the West and "indigenous" people of India created a vastly superior race, who were capable of inventions that could last for millennia. He goes on to say that the hybrid vigor lasted only a few generations, which curtailed further development of science and mathematics in India.