Analytical Conics (Dover Books on Mathematics)

Book Details:

• Publisher: Dover

• Author: Barry Spain

• Language: English

• Edition: Dover Edition

• ISBN: 9780486457734

• Pages: 160

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches

About The Book:

Analytical Geometry by Barry Spain is a concise and accessible introduction to the subject, perfect for students with a solid mathematical background. Aimed at undergraduates and math majors, this text lays the groundwork for more advanced studies in geometry, providing clear and focused explanations.

The book begins by covering the fundamental concepts of analytical geometry, including the straight line, circle, and conics, presented in their standard forms. It moves on to more advanced topics such as translations, rotations of axes, and the general equation of the second degree. The text also explores the concept of the line at infinity and derives key properties of conics and pencils of conics.

Further sections delve into cross-ratio, homographic correspondence, and line-coordinates, with applications to focal properties. The final chapter introduces generalized homogeneous coordinates, a powerful tool in advanced geometry. A helpful appendix provides solutions to many of the examples, reinforcing the concepts introduced throughout the book.

This work serves as a valuable resource for students preparing for more complex treatments of analytical geometry, offering a clear and methodical approach to the subject.