This book celebrates the life and work of twelve mathematicians who were either born in Wales or who worked in Wales. When the Welsh national anthem was composed in 1856, Wales was at the centre of the industrial revolution, the country was transformed by engineering and technology, and scientific societies flourished across the length and breadth of the land. By 1859, Charles Darwin had published his On the Origin of Species, and one of its outcomes in Wales was a growing tension between religion and science, which influenced peoples’ perceptions of their Welshness. By the end of the nineteenth century, that perception had narrowed to include its poetry, music, religion and little else. Following the popularity of his book Count Us In, the author adopts a similar style inviting us to take pride in our mathematicians and demonstrating how the tide has turned.
Les mer
A popular and readable book about the history of mathematicians in Wales, appealing to a wide audience – including those who may think of maths as something alien that doesn’t really belong to them.
Acknowledgements Preface Map of Wales Think of a number From Môn across the Menai How I wish I could calculate pi Chance and circumstance Building bridges A giant among pygmies What is the title of this chapter? Mathematics for the million Whence then cometh wisdom? Clearing the bottleneck Precise imprecision Go for gold In conclusion Answers to puzzles Notes on chapters Index
Les mer
Gareth Ffowc Roberts is Emeritus Professor of Education at Bangor University.

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781786839169
Publisert
2022-09-15
Utgiver
Vendor
University of Wales Press
Høyde
216 mm
Bredde
138 mm
Aldersnivå
G, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet

Om bidragsyterne

This is a readable and accessible book, intended for the general reader, that avoids technical details so as to reach a wide audience. It is also aimed at anyone who is interested in Welsh culture in general, rather than specialists in mathematics only.