Magnificent Mistakes in Mathematics

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Magnificent Mistakes in Mathematics

Two veteran math educators demonstrate how some "magnificent mistakes" had profound consequences for our understanding of mathematics' key concepts.

In the nineteenth century, English mathematician William Shanks spent fifteen years calculating the value of pi, setting a record for the number of decimal places. Later, his calculation was reproduced using large wooden numerals to decorate the cupola of a hall in the Palais de la DÃ©couverte in Paris. However, in 1946, with the aid of a mechanical desk calculator that ran for seventy hours, it was discovered that there was a mistake in the 528th decimal place. Today, supercomputers have determined the value of pi to trillions of decimal places.

This is just one of the amusing and intriguing stories about mistakes in mathematics in this layperson's guide to mathematical principles. In another example, the authors show that when we "prove" that every triangle is isosceles, we are violating a concept not even known to Euclid - that of "betweenness." And if we disregard the time-honored Pythagorean theorem, this is a misuse of the concept of infinity. Even using correct procedures can sometimes lead to absurd - but enlightening - results.

Requiring no more than high-school-level math competency, this playful excursion through the nuances of math will give you a better grasp of this fundamental, all-important science.

Country	USA
Binding	Hardcover
Brand	Brand: Prometheus Books
EAN	9781616147471
Feature	Used Book in Good Condition
ISBN	1616147474
Label	Prometheus Books
Manufacturer	Prometheus Books
MPN	illustrations
NumberOfItems	1
NumberOfPages	296
PartNumber	illustrations
PublicationDate	2013-08-13
Publisher	Prometheus Books
ReleaseDate	2013-08-13
Studio	Prometheus Books

Magnificent Mistakes in Mathematics

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