The World of NumbersCUP Archive, 1946 - 198 pages Originally published in 1946, this book explains important aspects of the world through the lens of mathematics. McKay discusses important questions such as time, the size of the earth and 'numbers that mean too much' in language that is enthusiastic and easily accessible to non-mathematicians. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of mathematics. |
Contents
Preface page vij Chapter 1 A Girdle round about the Earth | 1 |
The Trials of Geographers | 18 |
The Arithmetic of Great Rivers | 29 |
Widdershins | 42 |
The Allcomposing Hour | 48 |
Ellipses and Orbits | 63 |
Proportions in the Stars | 78 |
The Earth in a Balance | 94 |
The Prodigal Sun | 114 |
Magnitudes of the Stars | 124 |
Symbols | 131 |
Squaring the Circle | 143 |
The Ghost Quantity | 150 |
Poets Numbers | 161 |
Numbers that mean too much | 176 |
Was Man made by the Earth? | 187 |
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Common terms and phrases
actually amount angle aphelion appears atmosphere attraction average axis calculation called carbon carry centre circle comparatively considerable continents course cubic feet cubic miles diameter difference direction distance divide draw earth ellipse energy equal equation erosion estimate exact exactly extreme fact fall feet fifty five flow four fraction given gives half heat hundred idea imagine inches increase latitude length less light look magnitude Mars mass mathematical matter mean measure method million miles minutes month moon move multiply nearly observation orbit perihelion period planets possible pound powers quantity radius reason represent result river rotation round seems seen seven side solar speed square miles star surface symbols things thousand tons turn twice units volume weight whole width winter write yards