Gamma

<p>Among the many constants that appear in mathematics <i>π</i> <i>e</i> and <i>i</i> are the most familiar. Following closely behind is <i>y</i> or gamma a constant that arises in many mathematical areas yet maintains a profound sense of mystery. <p/> In a tantalizing blend of history and mathematics Julian Havil takes the reader on a journey through logarithms and the harmonic series the two defining elements of gamma toward the first account of gamma's place in mathematics. <p/> Introduced by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler (1707-1783) who figures prominently in this book gamma is defined as the limit of the sum of 1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + . . . Up to 1/<i>n</i> minus the natural logarithm of <i>n</i>--the numerical value being 0.5772156. . . . But unlike its more celebrated colleagues <i>π</i> and <i>e</i> the exact nature of gamma remains a mystery--we don't even know if gamma can be expressed as a fraction. <p/> Among the numerous topics that arise during this historical odyssey into fundamental mathematical ideas are the Prime Number Theorem and the most important open problem in mathematics today--the Riemann Hypothesis (though no proof of either is offered!). <p/> Sure to be popular with not only students and instructors but all math aficionados <i>Gamma</i> takes us through countries centuries lives and works unfolding along the way the stories of some remarkable mathematics from some remarkable mathematicians.</p>