Texts and Readings in Mathematics
Algebra in Ancient and Modern Times
V. S. Varadarajan
This text offers a special account of Indian work in diophantine equations during the 6th through 12th centuries and Italian work on solutions of cubic and biquadratic equations from the 11th through 16th centuries. The volume traces the historical development of algebra and the theory of equations from ancient times to the beginning of modern algebra, outlining some modern themes such as the fundamental theorem of algebra, Clifford algebras, and quarternions. It is geared toward undergraduates who have no background in calculus.
Reviews
"The book was written for freshmen students who should learn algebra by its history. So the topics mentioned above are treated from a mathematical as well as a historical point of view. The material is presented in a way that students should see how ideas have emerged. In some cases a rough look forward to the modern development is given. Many sections are supplemented by notes and exercises, which contain a lot of mathematics as well as additional historical facts. The book is completed by a very short list of references and an index."
Texts and Readings in Mathematics/ 14
1997‚ 9788185931159‚ 170 pages‚ hard cover‚ Out of Print
1997‚ 9788185931159‚ 170 pages‚ hard cover‚ Out of Print