Yearning for the impossible
by John C. Stillwell · first published 2006
2mentions
2recommended by
2HN commenters
2008–2023first – last mentioned
100% recommend
"This book explores the history of mathematics from the perspective of the creative tension between common sense and the "impossible" as the author follows the discovery or invention of new concepts that have marked mathematical progress: - Irrational and Imaginary Numbers - The Fourth Dimension - Curved Space - Infinity and others The author puts these creations into a broader context involving related "impossibilities" from art, literature, philosophy, and physics. By imbedding mathematics into a broader cultural context and through his clever and enthusiastic explication of mathematical ide
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
…interested in and then finding a famous problem. My favorite books are: * Euler: Master of us all * Euclid's Elements * Hardy and Wright: Introduction to a Theory of Numbers * Jonathan Stillwell: Yearning for the Impossible * Ash and Gross: Fearless Symmetry * Jean-Pierre Tignol: Galois' Theory of Algebraic Equations * Edwards: Fermat's Last Theorem/Galois Theory I've been doing it now for almost three years and it's…
on “Learning Math” ↗…are a few popular science books: One Two Three . . . Infinity: Facts and Speculations of Science by George Gamow Infinity and the Mind: The Science and Philosophy of the Infinite by Rudy Rucker Yearning for the Impossible: The Surprising Truths of Mathematics by John Stillwell Roads to Infinity by John Stillwell If you want actual textbooks then maybe pick up a set theory textbook like "Naive set theory" by Halmos.
on “Ask HN: Does anyone know of any textbooks on infinity?” ↗