The Unfinished Game

Name: The Unfinished Game
Brand: Basic Books
SKU: 9780465018963
Price: 46.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

Pascal, Fermat, and the Seventeenth-Century Letter that Made the World Modern

By Keith Devlin

3.71

( 495 ratings, 62 reviews)

Summary

Discover how Paul Erdős's influential letter to Pierre de Fermat sparked new thinking in mathematics, especially impacting probability theory. In The Unfinished Game, Keith Devlin delves into the historical and mathematical significance of this correspondence, demonstrating how it laid the groundwork for modern probability concepts. It's a fascinating journey into the minds of these revolutionary thinkers and their enduring impact on the world of mathematics.
Read More

Format: Paperback / softback

$46⁰⁰

On Sale

in Warehouse Clearance Sale until 9 Mar or while stocks last

OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

The Unfinished Game

$46⁰⁰

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you have an interest in the history of mathematics and are curious about the impact of a centuries-old mathematical problem on modern-day logic and probability theory. It offers a fascinating look into how a single letter between correspondents led to the development of a crucial branch of mathematics, presenting the story in an engaging and accessible way.

The Unfinished Game

Description

In the early seventeenth century, the outcome of something as simple as a dice roll was consigned to the realm of unknowable chance. Mathematicians largely agreed that it was impossible to predict the probability of an occurrence.

Then, in 1654, Blaise Pascal wrote to Pierre de Fermat explaining that he had discovered how to calculate risk. The two collaborated to develop what is now known as probability theory—a concept that allows us to think rationally about decisions and events.

In The Unfinished Game, Keith Devlin masterfully chronicles Pascal and Fermat's mathematical breakthrough, connecting a centuries-old discovery with its remarkable impact on the modern world.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Unfinished Game by Keith Devlin is celebrated for its insightful exploration of mathematical history and logic, centred around the correspondence between Pierre de Fermat and Blaise Pascal. Reviewers appreciate its clear and engaging narrative that makes complex mathematical concepts accessible to a broad audience, blending elements of history, biography, and problem-solving.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780465018963

Publisher: Basic Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 March 2010

Country: United States

Imprint: Basic Books

Illustration: 25 b & w illus.

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 141.0mm

Height: 207.0mm

Weight: 218g

Pages: 208

Collections

Education & Reference Featured Books Keith Devlin Non-Fiction Science & Nature Warehouse Clearance Sale

About the Author

Keith Devlin is a Senior Researcher and Executive Director at Stanford's centre for the Study of Language and Information, a Consulting Professor in the Department of Mathematics, and a co-founder of the Stanford Media X research network. National Public Radio's Math Guy," he is the author of over twenty-five books. He lives in Stanford, California.