Introducing Mathematics

Ziauddin Sardar * Jerry Ravetz * Borin Van Loon

What is mathematics, and why is it such a mystery to so many people?

Mathematics is the greatest creation of human intelligence. It affects us all. We depend on it in our daily lives, and yet many of the tools of mathematics, such as geometry, algebra and trigonometry, are descended from ancient or non-Western civilisations.

Introducing Mathematics traces the story of mathematics from the ancient world to modern times, describing the great discoveries and providing an accessible introduction to such topics as number-systems, geometry and algebra, the calculus, the theory of the infinite, statistical reasoning and chaos theory. It shows how the history of mathematics has seen progress and paradox go hand in hand – and how this is still happening today.

This is an essential book for anyone interested in the wonderful and weird world of mathematics – which is, after all, the world we have created for ourselves.

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Ziauddin Sardar is Professor of Postcolonial Studies at City University, London, co-author of the international bestsellers Why Do People Hate America? and American Dream, Global Nightmare (Icon, 2002, 2004) and a widely known author, journalist and critic.

Jerry Ravetz is a philosopher and mathematician. He pioneered the study of uncertainty and policy numbers in social and scientific issues at Leeds University.

Borin Van Loon is a Surrealist artist and illustrator whose work ranges from oil paintings to a cut-out book on DNA.

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