(Princeton Science Library (68)) 3rd Edition
by Eli Maor (Author)
A fun, entertaining exploration of the ideas and people behind the growth of trigonometry
Trigonometry
has a reputation as a dry, difficult branch of mathematics, a glorified
form of geometry complicated by tedious computation. In Trigonometric Delights,
Eli Maor dispels this view. Rejecting the usual descriptions of sine,
cosine, and their trigonometric relatives, he brings the subject to life
in a compelling blend of history, biography, and mathematics. From the
proto-trigonometry of the Egyptian pyramid builders and the first true
trigonometry developed by Greek astronomers, to the epicycles and
hypocycles of the toy Spirograph, Maor presents both a survey of the
main elements of trigonometry and a unique account of its vital
contribution to science and social growth. A tapestry of stories,
curiosities, insights, and illustrations, Trigonometric Delights irrevocably changes how we see this essential mathematical discipline.
