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Number: The Language of Science Paperback – January 30, 2007

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 126 ratings

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"Beyond doubt the most interesting book on the evolution of mathematics which has ever fallen into my hands."—Albert Einstein

Number is an eloquent, accessible tour de force that reveals how the concept of number evolved from prehistoric times through the twentieth century.  Renowned professor of mathematics Tobias Dantzig shows that the development of math—from the invention of counting to the discovery of infinity—is a profoundly human story that progressed by “trying and erring, by groping and stumbling.” He shows how commerce, war, and religion led to advances in math, and he recounts the stories of individuals whose breakthroughs expanded the concept of number and created the mathematics that we know today.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Beyond doubt the most interesting book on the evolution of mathematics which has ever fallen into my hands."—Albert Einstein

"Anyone interested in the history of numbers and mathematics should read this book."—
Mario Livio, author of The Golden Ratio

"A classic . . . it deserves a place on the bookshelf of anyone interested in the history of thought."—
Charles Seife, author of Zero and Decoding the Universe

About the Author

Tobias Dantzig was born in Russia, and was taught by Henri Poincaré in France before moving the United States. He received his Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Indiana, and was a professor of mathematics at the University of Maryland. He died in 1956.

Joseph Mazur is Professor of Mathematics at Marlboro College, where he has taught a wide range of classes in all areas of mathematics, its history, and philosophy.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Plume (January 30, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0452288118
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0452288119
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.21 x 0.89 x 7.95 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 126 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
126 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's ideas clear and well-understood. They appreciate the interesting part about early number learning. However, opinions differ on readability - some find it well-written and easy to read, while others find the text a bit difficult to follow and jumbled.

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12 customers mention "Knowledge"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's knowledge clear and with a good depth of understanding. They find the part about early number learning fascinating. It is an amazing study into the origins of mathematics, and it tells them how they think and why math is special. The book serves as a great reference to zero and irrational numbers, and is packed with information and insights.

"...Somehow, and I don't know how he does it, Dantzig eloquently explains the history, the culture, and the minds behind the most interesting concepts..." Read more

"...This book serves as a great reference to how zero and irrational numbers solved problems and changed the way we see numerical information...." Read more

"...The outcome has become an essential tool to all humanity. The book explains beautifully how this came about over the centuries...." Read more

"The baby received, the quality is very good, very practical, very convenient to use, it is wonderful to use, the conscience of the merchants cheap..." Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"2 positive2 negative

Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it well-written and easy to follow from start to finish, while others find some parts difficult to understand due to jumbled text and unorganized tables.

"...structure allows the reader to select areas of interest or to read from front to back...." Read more

"Good book. A little hard to read. I didn't realize that this is a really old book with a new cover. The forward is by Einstein...." Read more

"...was able to make it through, the book seems to be well-written and a good read. BUT, the formatting of this book on Kindle makes it UNREADABLE...." Read more

"...The tables are a string of unordered text/numbers, and 6) The figures/pictures are completely missing...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2024
    It satisfies my research
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2014
    I first read this book as a junior in high school and I'm not sure why I even picked it up. My sophomore year I barely squeaked by with a D in Algebra 2 my first semester and a C the next. But when I began this book, so many things started to click. This book, for me, started the process of unlearning. I took copious notes, I started asking questions in my Trig class-- this book was instrumental in my education.

    Dantzig told me how I thought, and why math was special. Because of this book, I started reading other math books, and by the time I left my high school I had read every single math book in the library. Because of this book, I got a BS in mathematics-- a guy with a D in Algebra 2!

    I reread this book just recently and heck, I'm learning all sorts of stuff from it again! Somehow, and I don't know how he does it, Dantzig eloquently explains the history, the culture, and the minds behind the most interesting concepts and the most pervasive subject in the world. And he does it in a way that taught me as a D high school math student, and has taught me again now-- things that my undergraduate degree in math never could.

    Buy this book and fall in love with it.
    50 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2019
    Great historical explanations of numbers, number theory, and the people who developed them to give us the mathematics we have today. Great for budding thinkers and inquisitive young minds (12+). This book serves as a great reference to how zero and irrational numbers solved problems and changed the way we see numerical information.

    My father gave me this book when I was in the sixth grade, and it opened up a whole new world to me. The author's structure allows the reader to select areas of interest or to read from front to back.

    I've bought copies for my children and now grandchildren, seeing their excitement as major concepts become clearer, making it easier to succeed and excel in school.
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2019
    Mathematics is a 'learned' process, part of man's upbringing. It is not provided by Nature at birth. Most of us in 'developed' societies have laboured in the task of learning Maths. The lucky gifted few enjoyed the learning process and delved further into it. The outcome has become an essential tool to all humanity. The book explains beautifully how this came about over the centuries.
    The first chapters explain the remote historical part of the development of mathematics. Here is explained how the early development came about; how the various counting systems developed and how they were conditioned by the natural world. This was of special interest as the historical aspect in more remote and its history still need to be updated, in the light of new developments.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2023
    If you’re interested in the history of math, I highly suggest to read this book!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2020
    The baby received, the quality is very good, very practical, very convenient to use, it is wonderful to use, the conscience of the merchants cheap and fine, the husband likes it very much, will come again next time, the service attitude is very good, thank you.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2017
    This is an amazing study into the origins of Mathematics. The book was recommended to me by a former professor believing that because I was going for a BS in mathematics I would enjoy it. He was not wrong. I have not been able to put it down. If you enjoy mathematics as a hobby or as professional, give the book a try.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2022
    I came to write this review to address the Kindle version of this book. I looked forward to reading this book, and from what I was able to make it through, the book seems to be well-written and a good read. BUT, the formatting of this book on Kindle makes it UNREADABLE. I wish I would have decided to return this book during the return window because I simply cannot read it. Just to name a few of the most glaring issues so far:
    1) The page numbers are in the middle of the pages,
    2) The digital bookmarks for the chapters are missing or out of order,
    3) Some of the text seems jumbled, out of place, or perhaps incorrectly transcribed,
    4) The formatting/typesetting of the chapter titles and other items is a mess,
    5) The tables are a string of unordered text/numbers, and
    6) The figures/pictures are completely missing.
    This is my first time getting a book on Kindle and having it be totally awful. I have read a wide variety of books on Kindle, even some that were older books or which included figures/tables/illustrations, and have not had any major issues. In some cases, I have seen reviews that indicated how bad the book was on Kindle and gladly took those people's advice and bought it in print instead. In the case of the book in question, I did not see any reviews to this effect, so I am taking the time to leave such a review myself. If you are considering this book, please buy it in print instead!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Francisco Gil Leyva García
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy entretenido (si te gusta el tema)
    Reviewed in Mexico on July 16, 2023
    Comenta (con base a la experiencia del autor), la evolución de la matemática en las personas. Partiendo del sentido numérico y el concepto de número.
  • Arzi
    5.0 out of 5 stars meilleur livre sur le sujet
    Reviewed in France on July 30, 2021
    C'est le meilleur livre que j'ai lu sur les nombres. Le format d'edition est très bien et le prix très abordable.
  • Kaye
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it
    Reviewed in Canada on May 24, 2020
    As expected! Fast shipping.
  • Harenduprakash Lohithakshan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
    Reviewed in India on October 2, 2019
    Very good
  • lavryjack
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr interessantes Buch
    Reviewed in Germany on April 26, 2019
    Sehr interessantes Buch