The lore of large numbers / by Philip J. Davis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Davis, Philip J.

Series:

Anneli Lax New Mathematical Library ; 6

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Number theory.

Algebra.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 165 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : Mathematical Association of America, 1961.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Large numbers have always been a source of wonder and many questions are raised about them. 'What comes after billions?' or 'How do the relative sizes of an atom and a man compare to the relative sizes of a man and the sun?' The author has answered some of these questions by explaining the arithmetic and the uses of large numbers in a way which introduces the reader to the horizons of modern mathematics. Using large num bers as a unifying theme and employing only the simplest materials, the author provides the reader with an understanding for numbers, their magnitude, and their growth. The reader is introduced to exponents, computation, number theory, and to the rapidity of growth of sequences. Several historical passages reveal mathematics as a living thing that grows and changes with the generations. Tables listing interesting and useful numbers in the physical universe are appended.

Contents:

Front Cover

The Lore of Large Numbers

Copyright Page

CONTENTS

Preface

PART I: LARGE NUMBERS AND THEIR ARITHMETIC

1. Numbers in the World

2. The Principal Uses of Numbers

3. The World of Numbers

4. Writing Numbers

5. Powers and Exponents

6. The Names of Really Large Numbers

7. The Law of Exponents

8. Scientific Notation

9. How Large Is Large?

10. Approximate Numbers and Orders of Magnitude

11. Approximate Computation

12. The Rough Art of Estimation

13. Small Numbers

14. Why Negative Exponents?

15. The Large and the Small

16. Division by Zero: The Road to Paradox

PART II: LARGE NUMBERS AT WORK

17. The Long Long Trail of π

18. The Long Trail Continued: Computing Machines Meet Normal Numbers

19. Back Over the Trail

20. The Personality of Numbers

21. Casting Out Nines

The Number Theory of Residues

22. The Hardest of the Simple Problems

23. Infinities Beyond Infinity: The Growth of Sequences

24. Atomic Numbers, Astronomical Numbers, and Where Is Man?

Appendices

I. Some Selected Magnitudes in Science

II. Weights, Measures, and Equivalents

III. Formulas for Measurement

Answers to Selected Problems

Bibliography.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 02 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-88385-987-4

OCLC:

929120335