Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
  • Cited by 25
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
May 2010
Print publication year:
2004
Online ISBN:
9780511720000

Book description

The transformation of mathematics from ancient Greece to the medieval Arab-speaking world is here approached by focusing on a single problem proposed by Archimedes and the many solutions offered. In this trajectory Reviel Netz follows the change in the task from solving a geometrical problem to its expression as an equation, still formulated geometrically, and then on to an algebraic problem, now handled by procedures that are more like rules of manipulation. From a practice of mathematics based on the localized solution (and grounded in the polemical practices of early Greek science) we see a transition to a practice of mathematics based on the systematic approach (and grounded in the deuteronomic practices of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages). With three chapters ranging chronologically from Hellenistic mathematics, through late Antiquity, to the medieval world, Reviel Netz offers an alternate interpretation of the historical journey of pre-modern mathematics.

Reviews

"For the true mathematics historian, this is a fascinating exploration, perhaps different from one's previous ideas of this time period. Highly recommended." M.D. Sanford, Felician College

"...engaging, provocative, and definitely worth reading and thinking about." MAA Reviews, Fernando Q. Gouvea

"...recommended reading--for its thought-provoking ideas and lively writing--for those with a serious interest in the mathematics of ancient Greece and medieval Islam." - Mathematical Reviews, J.L. Berggren

Refine List

Actions for selected content:

Select all | Deselect all
  • View selected items
  • Export citations
  • Download PDF (zip)
  • Save to Kindle
  • Save to Dropbox
  • Save to Google Drive

Save Search

You can save your searches here and later view and run them again in "My saved searches".

Please provide a title, maximum of 40 characters.
×

Contents

Metrics

Altmetric attention score

Full text views

Total number of HTML views: 0
Total number of PDF views: 0 *
Loading metrics...

Book summary page views

Total views: 0 *
Loading metrics...

* Views captured on Cambridge Core between #date#. This data will be updated every 24 hours.

Usage data cannot currently be displayed.