1 + 1 = 2 But where does it come from

[Katti's Cat]

Hope someone can help. I have a sudden urge to read about the history if mathematics. Now, I am no Einstein nor would I want to become one.

I have read previously "The Parrots Theorem" by Denis Guedj and enjoyed it but want to know more.

I am still reading "Science - A History 1543-2001" by John Gribbin. This is very informative and I love reading it but as I have it as pBook and it weighs too much I only read small sections of it - hence it takes so long.

So, want book do I want - I am looking for recommendations for books about the history of mathematics, outlining where they come from, what it is about. At this stage I am not so much interested in books about specific maths, more the general kind.

[Sparrow]

I really enjoyed "Mathematics in Western Culture" by Morris Kline.

(Inkmesh list a Kindle and secure PDF versions.)

[Katti's Cat]

Thanks for the tip - looking at it right now

[bugeye]

for 1+1=2 in math, I would recommend you to read books regarding Mathematical Analysis (much more difficult than Calculus).
But I do not have much konwledge in the history books of math.

[beppe]

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

Hope someone can help.

Hello Katti's Cat.

I will not suggest you a book but a link where your question finds its answer.

The last external link of the page gives a commentary that from the point of view of a mathematician could be considered poetry.

It might be that starting from this you find the interest to enter in a wonderful world, where it does not exist a meaningful map but just fragments of light and many doors. One of the doors is this last link.

Beppe

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I really enjoyed "Mathematics in Western Culture" by Morris Kline.

(Inkmesh list a Kindle and secure PDF versions.)

Don't bother... It's Topaz from Amazon and PDF from eBooks.com. And you'll dislike the reading experience.

[Solitaire1]

A book I'd recommend is "Zero" by Charles Seife. It covers the history of the number zero and includes its: origins, struggle for acceptance, radical and potentially dangerous nature. It takes zero from non-existance, to its function as a mere placeholder, and finally to its evolution to being a full number in its own right. In addition to the history of the number zero, it also covers the general history of mathematics.

Although it's not a book, there is a video I'd recommend: The History Of 1. It's hosted by Terry Jones (a member of Monty Python's Flying Circus) and takes us through the history of the number 1 (and the other numbers). Although the video has a great deal of humor, it also provides solid information on the history of numbers and counting systems in general. As an example, it showed that roman numerals weren't used for calculation but were just used to record the final results of calculations that were done on an abacus-like device.

[Katti's Cat]

Originally Posted by beppe

Hello Katti's Cat.

I will not suggest you a book but a link where your question finds its answer.

The last external link of the page gives a commentary that from the point of view of a mathematician could be considered poetry.

It might be that starting from this you find the interest to enter in a wonderful world, where it does not exist a meaningful map but just fragments of light and many doors. One of the doors is this last link.

Beppe

Thanks for the links - bit on the heavy side at this stage - just looking at all those numbers & formulas throws me. I was thinking of a more gentle approach but have saved the links for more in depth perusal.

[Katti's Cat]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Don't bother... It's Topaz from Amazon and PDF from eBooks.com. And you'll dislike the reading experience.

Topaz? not sure what you mean. Don't like reading technical pdf on my Sony - the resizing doesn't work so got it from the library. So far I like it.

[Katti's Cat]

Originally Posted by Solitaire1

A book I'd recommend is "Zero" by Charles Seife. It covers the history of the number zero and includes its: origins, struggle for acceptance, radical and potentially dangerous nature. It takes zero from non-existance, to its function as a mere placeholder, and finally to its evolution to being a full number in its own right. In addition to the history of the number zero, it also covers the general history of mathematics.

Although it's not a book, there is a video I'd recommend: The History Of 1. It's hosted by Terry Jones (a member of Monty Python's Flying Circus) and takes us through the history of the number 1 (and the other numbers). Although the video has a great deal of humor, it also provides solid information on the history of numbers and counting systems in general. As an example, it showed that roman numerals weren't used for calculation but were just used to record the final results of calculations that were done on an abacus-like device.

Thanks - will check out the book. And see if I can get the video / dvd as well although I prefer books.

[Katti's Cat]

Originally Posted by bugeye

for 1+1=2 in math, I would recommend you to read books regarding Mathematical Analysis (much more difficult than Calculus).
But I do not have much konwledge in the history books of math.

Hmmm - not sure I want to dive straight into analysis - but thanks anyway

[Solitaire1]

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

Thanks - will check out the book. And see if I can get the video / dvd as well although I prefer books.

For the "Story Of 1," you might want to try your local library. That's were I borrowed my copy from.

I checked YouTube and found the following video:

[kovidgoyal]

@beppe: I doubt you really need the Peano axioms, instead you can define natural numbers as properties of relations on sets of objects and derive the rules of arithmetic from the laws of logic.

I remember doing something along those lines at a maths summer school, way back when I had no facial hair.

IIRC Bertrand Russel did something along those lines as well.

[beppe]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

@beppe: I doubt you really need the Peano axioms, instead you can define natural numbers as properties of relations on sets of objects and derive the rules of arithmetic from the laws of logic.

I remember doing something along those lines at a maths summer school, way back when I had no facial hair.

IIRC Bertrand Russel did something along those lines as well.

@ kovidgal: I like this way of addressing.

Absolutely. That's so nice about axioms. That you can substitute them with other starting points. The Peano's are fascinating because with so little you can build so much with just geometric considerations. In that way you can coast clear from the traps of logic.

I also like the expression facial hair. I was taught these things when you were just a twinkle in your mother's eyes.

[sergiodongala]

Here is one book that can interest people here:
THE MAN WHO COUNTED by MALBA TAHAN.
Its not history of math but a novel that involves math.