The nature and power of mathematics / Donald M. Davis.

By: Davis, Donald M, 1945-.

Material type: materialTypeLabel

BookPublisher: Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, c1993Description: xi,389p,[4]p of plates : ill. (some col.), maps ; 24 cm. + pbk.ISBN: 0691087830 (hbk); 0691025622 (pbk).Uniform titles: Mathematics. Subject(s): Geometry, Non-Euclidean

| Number theory

| Fractals

| Cryptography

DDC classification: 516.9

Contents:

Some Greek mathematics -- Non-euclidean geometry -- Number theory -- Cryptography -- Fractals.

Holdings
Item type	Current library	Call number	Copy number	Status	Date due	Barcode	Item holds
General Lending	MTU Bishopstown Library Lending	516.9 (Browse shelf(Opens below))	1	Available		00069131

Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

In this engaging book, Donald Davis explains some of the most fascinating ideas in mathematics to the nonspecialist, highlighting their philosophical and historical interest, their often surprising applicability, and their beauty. The three main topics discussed are non-Euclidean geometry, with its application to the theory of relativity; number theory, with its application to cryptography; and fractals, which are an application in art, among other areas, of early mathematical work on iteration. Other topics include the influence of Greek mathematics on Kepler's laws of planetary motion, and the theoretical work that led to the development of computers.

Assuming the reader has some background in basic algebra and geometry, Davis relies on exercises to develop some of the important concepts. These exercises are designed to improve the reader's ability in logic, and enable him or her actually to experience mathematics at increasingly advanced levels.

Bibliography: (pages 379-382) and index.

Some Greek mathematics -- Non-euclidean geometry -- Number theory -- Cryptography -- Fractals.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Directed at liberal arts students, this volume stresses depth over breadth in the exploration of mathematics. Within the broad content areas of geometry and number theory, Davis explores relevant topics surrounding early Greek mathematics, non-Euclidean geometry, cryptography, and fractals. Tangential explorations of interesting ideas are included, such as Poincare's Conjecture, finite axiomatic systems, Kant's philosophical look at geometry, primality testing, and computational complexity. Finally, an attempt is made to include discussions of real-world applications of pure mathematics, touching on Kepler's theories of planetary motion, general and special relativity, Turing's contributions to code-breaking machines, the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman algorithm method of securing public key cryptography, fractals in nature, use of chaos theory for weather forecasting, and computer generation of fractals. Exercise sets are included throughout. General; community college; lower-division undergraduate; professional. J. Johnson Western Washington University