Enlightening Symbols : A Short History of Mathematical Notation and Its Hidden Powers

Enlightening Symbols : A Short History of Mathematical Notation and Its Hidden Powers
ISBN: 9780691173375
Publication Date: 6 December 2016

Many basic math symbols such as those for plus and equals were not available before the sixteenth century. What did mathematicians use before then? And how did mathematical notations evolve into what they are today? In Enlightening Symbols, popular math writer Joseph Mazur explains the fascinating history behind the development of our mathematical notation system. He shows how symbols were first used, how one symbol replaced another over time, and how math was written before and after symbols became widely adopted. He even reveals that most algebra before the sixteenth century was written in prose or verse employing the written names of numerals.

From words to abbreviations to symbols, Enlightening Symbols tells how math evolved to the familiar forms we use today.

About the Author

Joseph Mazur is the author of Euclid in the Rainforest (Plume), which was a finalist for the PEN/Martha Albrand Award, Zeno's Paradox (Plume), What's Luck Got to Do with It? (Princeton), and Fluke (Basic).