{"product_id":"unknown-quantity-a-real-and-imaginary-history-of-algebra-paperback","title":"Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJohn Derbyshire\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePerfect for history buffs and armchair algebra experts, \u003ci\u003eUnknown Quantity\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of the development of abstract mathematical thought.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eJohn Derbyshire discovers the story behind the formulae, roots, and radicals. As he did so masterfully in \u003ci\u003ePrime Obsession\u003c\/i\u003e, Derbyshire brings the evolution of mathematical thinking to dramatic life by focusing on the key historical players. \u003ci\u003eUnknown Quantity\u003c\/i\u003e begins in the time of Abraham and Isaac and moves from Abel's proof to the higher levels of abstraction developed by Galois through modern-day advances. Derbyshire explains how a simple turn of thought from \"this plus this equals this\" to \"this plus \u003ci\u003ewhat\u003c\/i\u003e equals this?\" gave birth to a whole new way of perceiving the world. With a historian's narrative authority and a beloved teacher's clarity and passion, Derbyshire leads readers on an intellectually satisfying and pleasantly challenging historical and mathematical journey.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn Derbyshire is a mathematician and linguist by education, a systems analyst by profession, and a celebrated writer in his spare time. His work appears frequently in \u003cb\u003eNational Review\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eThe New Criterion\u003c\/b\u003e. Born and raised in England, he has made his home in the United States for the past fifteen years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 400\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.86 x 7.98 x 5.36 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 01, 2007\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51759236645152,"sku":"9780452288539","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/d346f1b0465fb542e7369a61f974f9e3.webp?v=1780146388","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/unknown-quantity-a-real-and-imaginary-history-of-algebra-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}