The King of Infinite Space: Euclid and His Elements
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Book Overview
Geometry defines the world around us, helping us make sense of everything from architecture to military science to fashion. And for over two thousand years, geometry has been equated with Euclid's Elements, arguably the most influential book in the history of mathematics In The King of Infinite Space, renowned mathematics writer David Berlinski provides a concise homage to this elusive mathematician and his staggering achievements. Berlinski shows that, for centuries, scientists and thinkers from Copernicus to Newton to Einstein have relied on Euclid's axiomatic system, a method of proof still taught in classrooms around the world. Euclid's use of elemental logic -- and the mathematical statements he and others built from it -- have dramatically expanded the frontiers of human knowledge. The King of Infinite Space presents a rich, accessible treatment of Euclid and his beautifully simple geometric system, which continues to shape the way we see the world.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0465065716
ISBN13:9780465065714
Release Date:April 2014
Publisher:Basic Books
Length:192 Pages
Weight:0.45 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 5.4" x 8.2"
Age Range:18 years and up
Grade Range:Postsecondary
Customer Reviews
1 rating
Fraught with errors!
Published by Jake Rogers , 2 years ago
I'm a mathe nut and wanted to brush up on and enjoy Euclid's beautiful arguments and proofs. Sadly this book seems to have never been edited. Chapter VI, page 72 - 75 attempts to explain the proof of the Pythagorean theorem. References to the diagram on page 72 are erroneous in several places on page 75.
i.e. "... congruent triangles appear on HBK and AEC." "HBK" should read "CBK". Later on same page "EL" should be "BL" (in two places), "GL" should be "AK", "AK" should read "GB" and finally "... purposes of proof, is equal to GL..." should be "GB".
This book does little toward advancing one's understanding of geometric principals. Author, David Berlinsky, has done a grand disservice to Euclid's beautiful proof of Pythagorus' theorem.
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