2004;
322 pp;
Softcover
MSC: Primary 11;
Print ISBN: 978-0-8218-3246-2
Product Code: TNP
List Price: $42.00
AMS Member Price: $33.60
MAA Member Price: $37.80
Supplemental Materials
The Number \(𝜋\)
Share this pagePierre Eymard; Jean-Pierre Lafon
“[In the book] we are dealing with a theme which cuts across the mathematics courses classically taught in the first four years of college. Thus it offers the reader the opportunity to learn, review and give long-term thought to the concepts covered in these programmes by following the guiding thread of this favoured number.”
—from the Preface
This is a clever, beautiful book. The authors trace the thread of
\(\pi\) through the long history of mathematics. In so doing, they touch
upon many major subjects in mathematics: geometry (of course), number theory,
Galois theory, probability, transcendental numbers, analysis, and, as their
crown jewel, the theory of elliptic functions, which connects many of the other
subjects.
By this device, the authors provide a tour through mathematics, one that
mathematicians of all levels, amateur or professional, may appreciate. In many
cases, the tour visits well-known topics from particular special interest
groups. Remarkably, \(\pi\) is often found at the places of deepest
beauty.
The volume includes many exercises with detailed solutions. Anyone from
undergraduate mathematics majors through university professors will find many
things to enjoy in this book.
Readership
General mathematical audience.
Reviews & Endorsements
A marvelous, rich book, suitable for a large (mathematically trained) audience ... could be used for a capstone course ... would provide a sense of history and continuity to the undergraduate experience ... a valuable addition to the ever-expanding shelf of books on mathematical constants.
-- MAA Online
It is a serious and enjoyable text ... Solutions are given to nearly one hundred exercises.
-- Mathematika