Everything and More: A Compact History of InfinityOne of the outstanding voices of his generation, David Foster Wallace has won a large and devoted following for the intellectual ambition and bravura style of his fiction and essays. Now he brings his considerable talents to the history of one of math's most enduring puzzles: the seemingly paradoxical nature of infinity.Is infinity a valid mathematical property or a meaningless abstraction? The nineteenth-century mathematical genius Georg Cantor's answer to this question not only surprised him but also shook the very foundations upon which math had been built. Cantor's counterintuitive discovery of a progression of larger and larger infinities created controversy in his time and may have hastened his mental breakdown, but it also helped lead to the development of set theory, analytic philosophy, and even computer technology.Smart, challenging, and thoroughly rewarding, Wallace's tour de force brings immediate and high-profile recognition to the bizarre and fascinating world of higher mathematics. |
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LibraryThing Review
Lietotāja recenzija - Eoin - LibraryThingHigh-wire all the way. More DFW or math in either direction and the thing falls to it's death. If you would like a glimpse of what Real math is like and don't hate Mr. Wallace, this is worth it. Lasīt pilnu pārskatu
LibraryThing Review
Lietotāja recenzija - tgraettinger - LibraryThingI found it interesting, but hard to read - not just because the content was difficult, but more due to the too-numerous asides made by the author. This was likely a stylistic choice of the author, but ... Lasīt pilnu pārskatu
Citi izdevumi - Skatīt visu
Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinity David Foster Wallace Ierobežota priekšskatīšana - 2004 |
Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinity David Foster Wallace,Neal Stephenson Ierobežota priekšskatīšana - 2010 |
Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinity David Foster Wallace Ierobežota priekšskatīšana - 2010 |
Bieži izmantoti vārdi un frāzes
able abstract actually already analysis argument arithmetic Axiom basic becomes calculus called Cantor cardinal complex concept continuous convergent correspondence course curve decimal Dedekind defined definition derived differential distinction entities equal equations exactly example exist fact finite formal Fourier function geometric given going Greek happens idea important infinite sets infinitesimals instant integers interval involves irrational it's kind known least less limit Line logical look math mathematical mathematicians matter means mentioned metaphysical notice objects paradoxes particular physical positive possible Power probably problems proof prove quantities question rational rational numbers real numbers reason recall relation represent requires rigorous rule sense sequence set theory sort specific square subsets symbol technical Theorem there's thing tion transfinite trig true turns Weierstrass whole
Atsauces uz šo grāmatu
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