Mathematics Unbound

Mathematics Unbound PDF

Author: Karen Hunger Parshall

Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.

Published:

Total Pages: 432

ISBN-13: 9780821896730

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Although today's mathematical research community takes its international character very much for granted, this ''global nature'' is relatively recent, having evolved over a period of roughly 150 years-from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the middle of the twentieth century. During this time, the practice of mathematics changed from being centered on a collection of disparate national communities to being characterized by an international group of scholars for whom thegoal of mathematical research and cooperation transcended national boundaries. Yet, the development of an international community was far from smooth and involved obstacles such as war, political upheaval, and national rivalries. Until now, this evolution has been largely overlooked by historians andmathematicians alike. This book addresses the issue by bringing together essays by twenty experts in the history of mathematics who have investigated the genesis of today's international mathematical community. This includes not only developments within component national mathematical communities, such as the growth of societies and journals, but also more wide-ranging political, philosophical, linguistic, and pedagogical issues. The resulting volume is essential reading for anyone interestedin the history of modern mathematics. It will be of interest to mathematicians, historians of mathematics, and historians of science in general.

Reviving Ancient Chinese Mathematics

Reviving Ancient Chinese Mathematics PDF

Author: Jiri Hudecek

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-07-25

Total Pages: 223

ISBN-13: 1134468253

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Twentieth-century China has been caught between a desire to increase its wealth and power in line with other advanced nations, which, by implication, means copying their institutions, practices and values, whilst simultaneously seeking to preserve China’s independence and historically formed identity. Over time, Chinese philosophers, writers, artists and politicians have all sought to reconcile these goals and this book shows how this search for a Chinese way penetrated even the most central, least contested area of modernity: science. Reviving Ancient Chinese Mathematics is a study of the life of one of modern China’s most admired scientific figures, the mathematician Wu Wen-Tsun. Negotiating the conflict between progress and tradition, he found a path that not only ensured his political and personal survival, but which also brought him renown as a mathematician of international status who claimed that he stood outside the dominant western tradition of mathematics. Wu Wen-Tsun’s story highlights crucial developments and contradictions in twentieth -century China, the significance of which extends far beyond the field of mathematics. On one hand lies the appeal of radical scientific modernity, "mechanisation" in all its forms, and competitiveness within the international scientific community. On the other is an anxiety to preserve national traditions and make them part of the modernisation project. Moreover, Wu’s intellectual development also reflects the complex relationship between science and Maoist ideology, because his turn to history was powered by his internalisation of certain aspects of Maoist ideology, including its utilitarian philosophy of science. This book traces how Wu managed to combine political success and international scientific eminence, a story that has wider implications for a new century of increasing Chinese activity in the sciences. As such, it will be of great interest to students and scholars of Chinese history, the history of science and the history and philosophy of mathematics.

Advances in Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations and Related Areas

Advances in Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations and Related Areas PDF

Author: Gui-Qiang Chen

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 452

ISBN-13: 9789810236649

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This volume is a collection of research papers on nonlinear partial differential equations and related areas, representing many aspects of the most recent developments in these important areas. In particular, the following are included: nonlinear conservation laws, semilinear elliptic equations, nonlinear hyperbolic equations, nonlinear parabolic equations, singular limit problems, and analysis of exact and numerical solutions. Important areas such as numerical analysis, relaxation theory, multiphase theory, kinetic theory, combustion theory, dynamical systems, and quantum field theory are also covered.

Lipman Bers, a Life in Mathematics

Lipman Bers, a Life in Mathematics PDF

Author: Linda Keen

Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.

Published: 2015-09-15

Total Pages: 329

ISBN-13: 1470420562

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The book is part biography and part collection of mathematical essays that gives the reader a perspective on the evolution of an interesting mathematical life. It is all about Lipman Bers, a giant in the mathematical world who lived in turbulent and exciting times. It captures the essence of his mathematics, a development and transition from applied mathematics to complex analysis--quasiconformal mappings and moduli of Riemann surfaces--and the essence of his personality, a progression from a young revolutionary refugee to an elder statesman in the world of mathematics and a fighter for global human rights and the end of political torture. The book contains autobiographical material and short reprints of his work. The main content is in the exposition of his research contributions, sometimes with novel points of view, by students, grand-students, and colleagues. The research described was fundamental to the growth of a central part of 20th century mathematics that, now in the 21st century, is in a healthy state with much current interest and activity. The addition of personal recollections, professional tributes, and photographs yields a picture of a man, his personal and professional family, and his time.

Philosophical Papers, 1896-99

Philosophical Papers, 1896-99 PDF

Author: Bertrand Russell

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 712

ISBN-13: 9780415098632

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First Published in 1990. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Georg Cantor

Georg Cantor PDF

Author: Joseph Warren Dauben

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2020-06-16

Total Pages: 422

ISBN-13: 0691214204

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One of the greatest revolutions in mathematics occurred when Georg Cantor (1845-1918) promulgated his theory of transfinite sets. This revolution is the subject of Joseph Dauben's important studythe most thorough yet writtenof the philosopher and mathematician who was once called a "corrupter of youth" for an innovation that is now a vital component of elementary school curricula. Set theory has been widely adopted in mathematics and philosophy, but the controversy surrounding it at the turn of the century remains of great interest. Cantor's own faith in his theory was partly theological. His religious beliefs led him to expect paradoxes in any concept of the infinite, and he always retained his belief in the utter veracity of transfinite set theory. Later in his life, he was troubled by recurring attacks of severe depression. Dauben shows that these played an integral part in his understanding and defense of set theory.