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Gamma

Exploring Euler's Constant

By Julian Havil, Freeman Dyson (Contributor)

(6)

| Hardcover | 9780691099835

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Book Description

Among the myriad of constants that appear in mathematics, p, e, and i are the most familiar. Following closely behind is g, or gamma, a constant that arises in many mathematical areas yet maintains a profound sense of mystery.

In a tantalizing blend of history and mathematics, Julian Continue

Among the myriad of constants that appear in mathematics, p, e, and i are the most familiar. Following closely behind is g, or gamma, a constant that arises in many mathematical areas yet maintains a profound sense of mystery.

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.

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/n, minus the natural logarithm of n--the numerical value being 0.5772156. . .. But unlike its more celebrated colleagues p and e, the exact nature of gamma remains a mystery--we don't even know if gamma can be expressed as a fraction.

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!).

Sure to be popular with not only students and instructors but all math aficionados, Gamma takes us through countries, centuries, lives, and works, unfolding along the way the stories of some remarkable mathematics from some remarkable mathematicians.

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  • The book is enjoyable. It is aimed at readers with a suitable math background and it is not for a general reader. The author does an excellent job in outlining the story of the constant gamma, and along the way he illustrates the many applications of it. The book touches upon the history of logarit ... (continue)

    The book is enjoyable. It is aimed at readers with a suitable math background and it is not for a general reader. The author does an excellent job in outlining the story of the constant gamma, and along the way he illustrates the many applications of it. The book touches upon the history of logarithms, the harmonic series, the zeta and gamma functions, to end with the Riemann Hypothesis. The book contains some useful appendices, with some technical background, and a good list of references.

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    Stefano said on Jun 16, 2008 | Add your feedback

Book Details

  • Rating:
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  • English Books
  • Hardcover 376 Pages
  • ISBN-10: 0691099839
  • ISBN-13: 9780691099835
  • Publisher: Princeton University Press
  • Pub date: Mar 17, 2003
  • Dimensions: 1548 mm x 1032 mm x 129 mm Just how big is that?
  • Also available as: Others
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9780691099835 Hardcover $29.95 $25.60 bn.com
$35.00 $27.67 The Book Depository
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