{"product_id":"unknown-quantity-a-real-and-imaginary-history-of-algebra-9780452288539","title":"Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra","description":"\u003cb\u003ePerfect for history buffs and armchair algebra experts, \u003ci\u003eUnknown Quantity\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of the development of abstract mathematical thought.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eJohn Derbyshire discovers the story behind the formulae, roots, and radicals. As he did so masterfully in \u003ci\u003ePrime Obsession\u003c\/i\u003e, Derbyshire brings the evolution of mathematical thinking to dramatic life by focusing on the key historical players. \u003ci\u003eUnknown Quantity\u003c\/i\u003e begins in the time of Abraham and Isaac and moves from Abel's proof to the higher levels of abstraction developed by Galois through modern-day advances. Derbyshire explains how a simple turn of thought from \"this plus this equals this\" to \"this plus \u003ci\u003ewhat\u003c\/i\u003e equals this?\" gave birth to a whole new way of perceiving the world. With a historian's narrative authority and a beloved teacher's clarity and passion, Derbyshire leads readers on an intellectually satisfying and pleasantly challenging historical and mathematical journey.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e John Derbyshire\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Penguin Publishing Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/01\/2007\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 400\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.72lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.98h x 5.36w x 0.86d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780452288539\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eScience Books \u0026amp; Films\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2007 pg. 250\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eScitech Book News\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/01\/2008 pg. 29\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJohn Derbyshire is a mathematician and linguist by education, a systems analyst by profession, and a celebrated writer in his spare time. His work appears frequently in \u003cb\u003eNational Review\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eThe New Criterion\u003c\/b\u003e. Born and raised in England, he has made his home in the United States for the past fifteen years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43059514802291,"sku":"9.78045E+12","price":25.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/9255\/0515\/files\/img_8210aad5-76c9-4b66-aa39-0711ed6df5ce.jpg?v=1747305846","url":"https:\/\/bookstorenmore.com\/en-de\/products\/unknown-quantity-a-real-and-imaginary-history-of-algebra-9780452288539","provider":"Bookstore N More","version":"1.0","type":"link"}