The Proof is in the Pudding

The Changing Nature of Mathematical Proof
Softcover Nachdruck of the original 1. Auflage 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4939-3883-4
Verlag: Springer US

Buch, Englisch, 264 Seiten, Previously published in hardcover, Format (B × H): 178 mm x 254 mm, Gewicht: 604 g

Krantz takes the reader on a journey around the globe and through centuries of history, exploring the many transformations that mathematical proof has undergone from its inception at the time of Euclid and Pythagoras to its versatile, present-day use. The author elaborates on the beauty, challenges and metamorphisms of thought that have accompanied the search for truth through proof. The commentary and insights create a seamless thread throughout the many vignettes. Though there are many truths to be discovered in this book, by the end it is clear that there is no formalized approach or standard method of discovery to date. This is shown in noting some of the more prominent discussions currently underway. Most of the proofs are discussed in detail with figures and some equations accompanying them, allowing both the professional mathematician and those less familiar with mathematics to derive the same joy from reading this book.

Zielgruppe

Professional/practitioner

Autoren/Hrsg.

Krantz, Steven G.

Fachgebiete

• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Numerik und Wissenschaftliches Rechnen Numerische Mathematik
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematik Allgemein Populäre Darstellungen der Mathematik
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematik Allgemein Grundlagen der Mathematik
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Formalen Wissenschaften & Technik
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematik Allgemein Geschichte der Mathematik
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Populärwissenschaftliche Werke
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematik Allgemein Mathematische Logik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. What is a Proof and Why?.- 2. The Ancients.- 3. The Middle Ages and Calculation.- 4. The Dawn of the Modern Age.- 5. Hilbert and the Twentieth Century.- 6. The Four-Color Theorem.- 7. Computer-Generated Proofs.- 8. The Computer as a Mathematical Aid.- 9. Aspects of Mathematical Life.- 10. The Sociology of Mathematical Proof.- 11. A Legacy of Elusive Proofs.- 12. John Horgan and "The Death of Proof".- 13. Closing Thoughts.- Index of Names.- References.- Index.

Über Autor(innen)

Steven Krantz is a well-known Springer author. He has written nine books with Springer (1-931914-59-1, 0-8176-4339-7, 0-8176-4011-8, 0-8176-4339-7, 0-8176-4220-X, 0-8176-4097-5, 1-930190-87-5, 0-8176-4264-1, 0-8176-4285-4 ) with sales accumulating almost $130,000 in North America. Prof. Krantz is the editor-in-chief of the "society" journal (published in cooperation with Springer) "The Journal of Geometric Analysis" and is also the present editor-in-chief of the AMS Notices. "The Proof is in the Pudding, is the first of its kind. It details the history of the proof from its beginnings to its place in present-day mathematics. (This was presented as a "hot topic" in an article in the Notices of the AMS.)