C[omp]ute

From: "andrew cooke" <andrew@...>

Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2006 11:25:51 -0300 (CLST)

Jagjit Singh, 1959, published by Dover.

Good points:

1 - A very nice introduction to complex numbers via an alternative
definition for the vector product in two dimensions (a complex number is a
2D vector; the product of two complex numbers is itself a complex number;
what is the geometric interpretation?!)

2 - Consistently tries to unite theoretical and practical approaches to
mathematics.

3 - Sections on relativity, probability and foundations of mathematics
were all written while those subjects were still being developed, so you
get a real sense of perspective (it wasn't that long ago!) and a taste for
how uncertain things appeared at the time (many references to "mystical"
interpretations of SR!).

4 - Entertaining, direct style; occasional references to Indian culture
and use of archaic informal English.

Bad points:

1 - The author takes too strong a view on isses that (at least in
retrospect) were undecided at the time of writing.

2 - Missing important developments that occurred after publication
(Kolmogorov's work on probability; ZFC set theory) and a lack of
detail/clarity on work that was then controversial (relativity; Godel's
theorem).

Andrew