An Imaginary Tale by Paul J Nahin
Features the 2000-year-old history of the square root of minus one, also known as 'i'. This book recreates the mathematical problems that conjured it up, and the characters who tried to solve them. It includes historical facts and mathematical discussions. It is intended for readers with a general and scholarly interest in mathematics.
A book-length hymn of praise to the square root of minus one-- Brian Rotman, Times Literary Supplement An Imaginary Tale is marvelous reading and hard to put down. Readers will find that Nahin has cleared up many of the mysteries surrounding the use of complex numbers. -- Victor J. Katz, Science [An Imaginary Tale] can be read for fun and profit by anyone who has taken courses in introductory calculus, plane geometry and trigonometry. -- William Thompson, American Scientist Someone has finally delivered a definitive history of this 'imaginary' number... A must read for anyone interested in mathematics and its history. -- D. S. Larson, Choice Attempting to explain imaginary numbers to a non-mathematician can be a frustrating experience... On such occasions, it would be most useful to have a copy of Paul Nahin's excellent book at hand. -- A. Rice, Mathematical Gazette Imaginary numbers! Threeve! Ninety-fifteen! No, not those kind of imaginary numbers. If you have any interest in where the concept of imaginary numbers comes from, you will be drawn into the wonderful stories of how i was discovered. -- Rebecca Russ, Math Horizons There will be something of reward in this book for everyone. -- R.G. Keesing, Contemporary Physics Nahin has given us a fine addition to the family of books about particular numbers. It is interesting to speculate what the next member of the family will be about. Zero? The Euler constant? The square root of two? While we are waiting, we can enjoy An Imaginary Tale. -- Ed Sandifer, MAA Online Paul Nahin's book is a delightful romp through the development of imaginary numbers. -- Robin J. Wilson, London Mathematical Society Newsletter
Paul J. Nahin is the author of many best-selling popular math books, including Digital Dice, Chases and Escapes, Dr. Euler's Fabulous Formula, When Least Is Best, Duelling Idiots and Other Probability Puzzlers, and Mrs. Perkins's Electric Quilt (all Princeton). He is professor emeritus of electrical engineering at the University of New Hampshire.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780691027951 |
| ISBN 10 | 0691027951 |
| Title | An Imaginary Tale |
| Author | Paul J Nahin |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Princeton University Press |
| Year published | 1998-09-13 |
| Number of pages | 280 |
| Prizes | Runner-up for Choice Magazine Outstanding Reference/Academic Book Award 1999, Runner-up for AAP/Professional and Scholarly Publishing Awards: Mathematics and Statistics 1998 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |