The Development of Mathematics

by Eric Temple Bell

"This important book … presents a broad account of the part played by mathematics in the evolution of civilization, describing clearly the main principles, methods, and theories of mathematics that have survived from about 4000 B.C. to 1940." — Booklist.
In this time-honored study, one of the twentieth century's foremost scholars and interpreters of the history and meaning of mathematics masterfully outlines the development of leading ideas and clearly explains the mathematics involved in each.
Author E. T. Bell first examines the evolution of mathematical ideas in the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Babylonia; later developments in India, Arabia, and Spain; and other achievements worldwide through the sixteenth century. He then traces the beginnings of modern mathematics in the seventeenth century and the emergence of the importance of extensions of number, mathematical structure, the generalization of arithmetic, and structural analysis. Compelling accounts of major breakthroughs in the 19th and 20th centuries follow, emphasizing rational arithmetic after Fermat, contributions from geometry, and topics as diverse as generalized variables, abstractions, differential equations, invariance, uncertainties, and probabilities.

Genres: Mathematics, Science, Popular Science

656 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1945

About the author

Eric Temple Bell (February 7, 1883 – December 21, 1960) was a mathematician and science fiction author born in Scotland who lived in the U.S. for most of his life. He published his non-fiction under his given name and his fiction as John Taine.

Reviews

[Adrián Lima]

Casi nunca pensamos que las matemáticas son al igual que la filosofía un logro de la creatividad humana, este libro es un resumen Perfecto de teorías matemáticas que ahora no son válidas pero en su momento fueron un logro

[Hessel Beijaard]

Bell provides here a window into the history of mathematics. Inclined to stich and patch up its past, Bell nonetheless presents its development pyramid-like while it is only that in hindsight, when once popular concepts and theories turned to dead-ends and got erased from the map. Still an interesting and enjoyable read. Enjoyable since Bell is bold enough to challenge, reject, ridicule current beliefs about realist and idealist strands of thought. As he did in Men of Mathematics too – about the mathematicians. And interesting for the historical research. For stars for that, as I appreciated less the lack of clarity explaining mathematical concepts however the difficulty.

[Cuddly Wang]

The author with his richness of knowlege descripted the historical subject detailedly. What a wonderful book!!!

[Sam]

No entendí la mitad de las fórmulas

[Francisco Arce]

Gran libro. Por momentos el autor trata de demostrar que es mas inteligente que uno (lo cial es cierto). Tiene frases y reflexiones que son muy valiosas.

[Jorge0289]

It‘s an amazing and interesting book. It changes the perspective I had of mathematics