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The Unfinished Game
Pascal, Fermat, and the Seventeenth-Century Letter that Made the World Modern
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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 theoryโa 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
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.
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