A History of Mathematical Notations: Vol. I

Described even today as unsurpassed this history of mathematical notation stretching back to the Babylonians and Egyptians is one of the most comprehensive written. In two impressive volumes -- first published in 1928-9 -- distinguished mathematician Florian Cajori shows the origin evolution and dissemination of each symbol and the competition it faced in its rise to popularity or fall into obscurity. Illustrated with more than a hundred diagrams and figures this mirror of past and present conditions in mathematics will give students and historians a whole new appreciation for 1 + 1 = 2. Swiss-American author educator and mathematician FLORIAN CAJORI (1859-1930) was one of the worlds most distinguished mathematical historians. Appointed to a specially created chair in the history of mathematics at the University of California Berkeley he also wrote An Introduction to the Theory of Equations A History of Elementary Mathematics and The Chequered Career of Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler.