It All Adds Up: The Story of People and Mathematics

From Aristotle to Ada Lovelace, this book explores the mathematical ideas that have shaped the world and the everyday people and pioneers behind them. It reveals how mathematics became pivotal to the story of humankind, from calculating the passing of time to the algorithms that control computers.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 272 pages
\n Publication date: 14 November 2019
\n Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
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From the ancient Greeks to the digital age, mathematics has been an integral part of human civilization, shaping our understanding of the world and influencing the technologies that have transformed our lives. In this captivating book, Mickaël Launay takes readers on a journey through the history of mathematical ideas, exploring how they have shaped our understanding of time, space, and numbers.

Launay begins by tracing the origins of mathematics to ancient Greece, where philosophers such as Aristotle and Pythagoras laid the foundation for many of the concepts that we still use today. He explains how these early ideas were developed and refined over centuries, eventually leading to the creation of algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.

Throughout the book, Launay uses a variety of historical anecdotes and examples to illustrate how mathematics has influenced different aspects of human life. He discusses how the Babylonians used mathematics to create one of the first complex written languages, how the Greeks developed the concept of geometry, and how the Arabs adopted the Hindu-Arabic numeral system.

Launay also explores how mathematics has been used to solve practical problems throughout history. He discusses how the mapping of the trajectory of an eclipse helped to trace the precise day of one of the oldest battles in history, how the course of the modern-day Greenwich Meridian was established, and how negative numbers were accepted just last century.

In addition to its historical content, "It All Adds Up" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about mathematics. Launay provides clear explanations of complex mathematical concepts and demonstrates how they can be applied to real-world problems. He also includes a list of recommended readings for those who want to delve deeper into the subject.

Overall, "It All Adds Up" is a fascinating and enlightening book that will inspire a new fondness for the numbers that surround us and the rich history of mathematical ideas that have shaped our world. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply someone who enjoys learning, this book is a must-read.

\n Weight: 242g\n
Dimension: 194 x 121 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780008283971\n \n