{"product_id":"gamma-exploring-eulers-constant-paperback","title":"Gamma: Exploring Euler's Constant - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJulian Havil\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eFreeman Dyson\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong the many constants that appear in mathematics, \u003ci\u003eπ\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003ee\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003ei\u003c\/i\u003e are the most familiar. Following closely behind is \u003ci\u003ey\u003c\/i\u003e, or gamma, a constant that arises in many mathematical areas yet maintains a profound sense of mystery. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In a tantalizing blend of history and mathematics, Julian Havil takes the reader on a journey through logarithms and the harmonic series, the two defining elements of gamma, toward the first account of gamma's place in mathematics. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Introduced by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler (1707-1783), who figures prominently in this book, gamma is defined as the limit of the sum of 1 + 1\/2 + 1\/3 + . . . Up to 1\/\u003ci\u003en\u003c\/i\u003e, minus the natural logarithm of \u003ci\u003en\u003c\/i\u003e--the numerical value being 0.5772156. . . . But unlike its more celebrated colleagues \u003ci\u003eπ\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003ee\u003c\/i\u003e, the exact nature of gamma remains a mystery--we don't even know if gamma can be expressed as a fraction. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Among the numerous topics that arise during this historical odyssey into fundamental mathematical ideas are the Prime Number Theorem and the most important open problem in mathematics today--the Riemann Hypothesis (though no proof of either is offered ). \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Sure to be popular with not only students and instructors but all math aficionados, \u003ci\u003eGamma\u003c\/i\u003e takes us through countries, centuries, lives, and works, unfolding along the way the stories of some remarkable mathematics from some remarkable mathematicians.\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"I like this book very much. So much, in fact, that I found myself muttering 'neat stuff!' all the way through. While it is about an important topic, there isn't a single competitor. This amazing oversight by past authors is presumably the result of the topic requiring an author with a pretty sophisticated mathematical personality. Havil clearly has that. His skillful weaving of mathematics and history makes the book a 'fun' read. Many instructors will surely find the book attractive.\"\u003cb\u003e--Paul J. Nahin, author of \u003ci\u003eDuelling Idiots\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eOther Probability Puzzlers\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eAn Imaginary Tale\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"This is an excellent book, mathematically as well as historically. It represents a significant contribution to the literature on mathematics and its history at the upper undergraduate and graduate levels. Julian Havil injects genuine excitement into the topic.\"\u003cb\u003e--Eli Maor, author of \u003ci\u003ee: The Story of a Number\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJulian Havil\u003c\/b\u003e is a retired former master at Winchester College, England, where he taught mathematics for thirty-three years. He received a Ph.D. in mathematics from Oxford University. \u003cb\u003eFreeman Dyson\u003c\/b\u003e is professor emeritus of physics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. He is the author of several books, including \u003ci\u003eDisturbing the Universe\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eOrigins of Life\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 296\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.9 x 8.4 x 5.5 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 31, 2017\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42694083477567,"sku":"9780691178103","price":20.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/8226\/1823\/files\/f593bd928be5ba9b1a8a11e1a3ff13e9.webp?v=1765000983","url":"https:\/\/dhl-adrianne.myshopify.com\/products\/gamma-exploring-eulers-constant-paperback","provider":"BBB","version":"1.0","type":"link"}