10. “So Fundamentally Useful a Science”: Reflections on Mathematics and Its Place in the World

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Preface xiii
4. 1. “Sports and Pastimes, Done by Number”: Mathematical Tricks, Mathematical Games 1
5. 2. “Much Necessary for All States of Men”: From Arithmetic to Algebra 32
6. 3. “A Goodly Struggle”: Problems, Puzzles, and Challenges 62
7. 4. “Drawyng, Measuring and Proporcion”: Geometry and Trigonometry 84
8. 5. Maps, Monsters, and Riddles: The Worlds of Mathematical Popularization 108
9. 6. “To Ease and Expedite the Work”: Mathematical Instruments and How to Use Them 152
10. 7. “How Fine a Mind”: Mathematicians Past 176
11. 8. “By Plain and Practical Rules”: Mathematics at Work 216
12. 9. “The Speedier Expedition of Their Learning”: Thoughts on Teaching and Learning Mathematics 245
13. 10. “So Fundamentally Useful a Science”: Reflections on Mathematics and Its Place in the World 290
14. 11. The Mathematicians Who Never Were: Fiction and Humor 326
15. Index 367