National Science Library of Georgia

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Where do numbers come from? / T. W. Körner.

By: Material type: TextTextPublisher: Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2020Description: 1 online resource (xi, 260 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)Content type:
  • text
Media type:
  • computer
Carrier type:
  • online resource
ISBN:
  • 9781108768863 (ebook)
Subject(s): Additional physical formats: Print version: : No titleDDC classification:
  • 512.7 23
LOC classification:
  • QA241 .K6697 2020
Online resources:
Contents:
Introduction. The rationals -- The strictly positive rationals -- The rational numbers -- The natural numbers. The golden key -- Modular arithmetic -- Axioms for the natural numbers -- The real numbers (and the complex numbers). What is the problem? -- And what is its solution? -- The complex numbers -- A plethora of polynomials -- Can we go further?
Summary: Why do we need the real numbers? How should we construct them? These questions arose in the nineteenth century, along with the ideas and techniques needed to address them. Nowadays it is commonplace for apprentice mathematicians to hear 'we shall assume the standard properties of the real numbers' as part of their training. But exactly what are those properties? And why can we assume them? This book is clearly and entertainingly written for those students, with historical asides and exercises to foster understanding. Starting with the natural (counting) numbers and then looking at the rational numbers (fractions) and negative numbers, the author builds to a careful construction of the real numbers followed by the complex numbers, leaving the reader fully equipped with all the number systems required by modern mathematical analysis. Additional chapters on polynomials and quarternions provide further context for any reader wanting to delve deeper.
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Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 16 Oct 2019).

Introduction. The rationals -- The strictly positive rationals -- The rational numbers -- The natural numbers. The golden key -- Modular arithmetic -- Axioms for the natural numbers -- The real numbers (and the complex numbers). What is the problem? -- And what is its solution? -- The complex numbers -- A plethora of polynomials -- Can we go further?

Why do we need the real numbers? How should we construct them? These questions arose in the nineteenth century, along with the ideas and techniques needed to address them. Nowadays it is commonplace for apprentice mathematicians to hear 'we shall assume the standard properties of the real numbers' as part of their training. But exactly what are those properties? And why can we assume them? This book is clearly and entertainingly written for those students, with historical asides and exercises to foster understanding. Starting with the natural (counting) numbers and then looking at the rational numbers (fractions) and negative numbers, the author builds to a careful construction of the real numbers followed by the complex numbers, leaving the reader fully equipped with all the number systems required by modern mathematical analysis. Additional chapters on polynomials and quarternions provide further context for any reader wanting to delve deeper.

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