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A comprehensive history of numbers and mathematics, in a three-volume set. Georges Ifrah, a maths teacher, gave up his job and travelled around the world to assemble a complete answer to the question, "Where do numbers come from?" This work covers the art and science of numeration from Magnon Man to the electronic spreadsheet; from Scandinavia to China, via the Classical World, Mesopotamia, the Arab lands, India and South America. Ifrah looks at the metric system, the binary system, all the methods, many of the false starts, and addresses the intriguing question: how did they manage all those centuries without a zero? The text is aided with figures and tables throughout.Amazon.com Review
The title doesn't lie. Mathematician Georges Ifrah'smasterpiece, The Universal History of Numbers, is a wonderfullycomprehensive overview of numbers and counting spanning all theinhabited continents as far back in time as records will allow us tolook.Beyond the ancient Babylonians, Sumerians, and Indians, Ifrahtakes us farther south into Africa to examine an early decimalcounting system and into ancient Mexico to reconstruct what we can ofthe Mayan calendar and numerical system.The 27 chapters are chieflyorganized by culture, though there are some cross-cultural overviewsof topics like letters and numbers.

The author's aim was grand: "toprovide in simple and accessible terms the full and complete answer toall and any questions ... about the history of numbers and counting,from prehistory to the age of computers."This led him to wander theworld for 10 years, studying and learning; this scholastic pilgrim hasreturned with amazing stories to tell. Toward the end of the book,Ifrah makes the book truly universal by refuting alien-interventiontheories of cultural origins--surely our benefactors would have givenus an efficient decimal counting system, zero and all, before helpingus build pyramids and such. Such charming ideas, combined with suchrigorously researched facts, make The Universal History ofNumbers a uniquely important and fascinating volume. --RobLightner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

good book

My husband was so pleased with this book,in very good condition and lots of learning to be had.

Simply A Must Read!
This is simply a must read for anyone who is interested in numerical literacy!

Indispensable and should be required curriculum for anyone who teaches who wishes to think of themselves as versed in the arts and letters.

From a history point of view , very good
As someone who deals a lot in the theory of numbers,
the book seems somewhat useless in modern algorithmic terms,
but in terms of the history of how numbers were thought of and used by a number of different ancient cultures it is very fine.
I specifically liked the picture of an Arabic astrolabe
with 360 degrees on Arabic numbers.
It seems like a long book not to have much of modern interest in it?

The Universal History of Numbers: From Prehistory to the Invention of the Computer
I believe for many amateurs interested in the history of numbers, this is the only book they ever need. Amazingly thorough! Numbers being the fiber of any civilization, the book touches on some number-related areas like writing systems, astronomy, etc, and is beyond just covering pure numbers. It explains very well the reasons and ramifications of different number systems, with good coverage of their operational aspects. Its views are verywell researched and very balanced!!

It should be a collection book for ANY history buff.

math history you can use
I am a teacher and I love this book. I use it to teach counting systems to young children. I like having access to all kinds of math of the past. How to write it, how it was used, the subtleties of each language. I personally love it for myself as well - I am a math teacher and this is the best I have found for getting lots of great info on the history of math.I like to know when things happened in the intellectual development of mathematics. ... Read more

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The contents of this volume range from expository papers on several aspects of number theory, intended for general readers (Steinhaus property of planar regions; experiments with computers; Diophantine approximation; number field sieve), to a collection of research papers for specialists, which are at prestigious journal level. Thus, Number Theory and Its Applications leads the reader in many ways not only to the state of the art of number theory but also to its rich garden.

Product Description
Number and geometry are the foundations upon which mathematics has been built over some 3000 years. This book is concerned with the logical foundations of number systems from integers to complex numbers. The author has chosen to develop the ideas by illustrating the techniques used throughout mathematics rather than using a self-contained logical treatise. The idea of proof has been emphasised, as has the illustration of concepts from a graphical, numerical and algebraic point of view. Having laid the foundations of the number system, the author has then turned to the analysis of infinite processes involving sequences and series of numbers, including power series. The book also has worked examples throughout and includes some suggestions for self-study projects. In addition there are tutorial problems aimed at stimulating group work and discussion.

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Matrix diagonal stability and the related diagonal type Liapunov functions possess properties that make them attractive and very useful for applications. This new book addresses the matrix-stability concept and its applications to the analysis and design of several types of dynamical systems, both discrete-time and continuous-time.

The comprehensive presentation begins with an introductory chapter surveying applied examples from diverse fields, i.e., robust stability analysis, asynchronous iterative computation, neural networks and variable structure dynamical systems. The next few chapters develop the theory and includes a unified presentation of results in the area of matrix-diagonal stability and D-stability. The remaining chapters examine the various applications in greater detail. Both classical and new results are discussed, and the overall treatment is self-contained, only requiring linear algebra, difference equations and differential equations.

Topics and Features:

Diverse applications presented with minimum of technical prerequisites
Unified presentation of results on discrete-time and continuous-time diagonal and D-stability
Extensive guide to current literature and discussion of open problems
Asynchronous iterative methods
Stability and stabilization
Neural networks, circuits and systems

"Matrix Diagonal Stability in Systems and Computation" provides an essential reference for new methods and analysis related to dynamical systems described by linear and nonlinear ordinary differential equations and difference equations. Researchers, professionals and graduates in applied math, control engineering, stability of dynamical systems, scientific computation and computer science will find the book a successful guide to current results and developments. ... Read more

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"The exposition is remarkably clear, definitions are separated explicitly, theorems are often provided together with the motivation for changing one or other hypothesis, as well as the relevance of certain generalisations... This study is an excellent review of the current situation for problems of stability of the solution of differential equations. It is addressed to all interested on non-linear differential problems, as much from the theoretical as from the applications angle."-Bulletin de la Société Mathématique de Belgique ... Read more

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Here's your personal introduction to the most versatile song charting system ever created, the Nashville Number System. Used for decades by the world's top studio musicians, the Number system allows you to chart an entire song for the whole band on a single sheet of paper in about five minutes! Whether you are a musician trying to break into the competitive world of session playing, a songwriter looking for a quick way to document your songs, or you're just looking for a better way to communicate musically with your band, this system is exactly what you need. The book includes a CD with more than 90 musical examples recorded by some of the world's best session musicians. They will guide you through the Number system from its basic concepts to the most intricate nuances. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to take what you have learned and jam along with fully-produced tracks that have been custom-mixed for guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums. Written by Jim Riley, the drummer for Rascal Flatts! Song Charting Made Easy will very simply change the way you think about music. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great resource for Nashville Chart System
I cannot say enough about Jim Riley's Book "Song Charting Made Easy". This book is so well put together. It is super instructional, easy to read, entertaining, and most importantly.....Helpful!! The CD is very well produced, the songs are great and these recordings along with the book make The Nashville Number System easy to understand.
If you are a musician moving to Nashville to find work, you must have this publication or you are simply not serious about your career.

Excellent and very helpful!
I currently don't live in Nashville but I'm planning to head that way. I have tried to hook up with some players that I knew who understand the number system and use it very often but it never worked out. When I saw that this was coming out I had to grab it! And I'm so glad I did! This book makes the Number System Very easy to understand I'm moving forward with this daily.
I would encourage anyone who's wanting to learn the Number System to purchase this!!! Thanks Jim for taking the time to put this out!
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