Prelude to Mathematics (Dover Books on Mathematics)

Book Details

• Author: Sawyer, W.W.

• Brand: HarperCollins

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 224

• Release Date: 01-06-1983

• EAN: 9780486244013

• Package Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches

• Languages: English

About The Book
In this engaging and accessible account, W.W. Sawyer, a renowned mathematician and educator, offers a comprehensive introduction to the world of mathematics. He defines mathematics as "the classification and study of all possible patterns," highlighting its vast scope and its connection to both practical applications and abstract realms of thought.

Targeting both mathematicians and laypeople with limited mathematical background, the book provides a clear exploration of the beauty, power, and mysticism of mathematics. The first five chapters lay the foundation by discussing the role of mathematics in real-world applications, as well as exploring abstract mathematical concepts like pattern recognition, generalization, and unification.

Once the groundwork is laid, Sawyer delves into more advanced topics, including:

• Non-Euclidean Geometry

• Matrices

• Projective Geometry

• Determinants

• Transformations

• Group Theory

Rather than focusing on practical utility, the author emphasizes the thrilling and often paradoxical aspects of mathematics, such as an arithmetic system in which no number is larger than four.

This book will appeal to both mathematicians, who will appreciate Sawyer’s deep understanding of diverse mathematical areas, and laypeople, who will find the book’s accessibility inviting. The revised edition includes updated material on group theory, which is being presented in English for the first time.

This book offers not only a portrait of mathematics as an essential tool for understanding the universe but also an intriguing look into "the mathematical mind."