Skip to content

Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra

Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra

Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra

by John Derbyshire

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used Very Good
ISBN 10
030909657X
ISBN 13
9780309096577
Seller
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Kutztown, Pennsylvania, United States
Item Price
CA$9.67
Or just CA$8.71 with a
Bibliophiles Club Membership
CA$7.61 Shipping to USA
Standard delivery: 5 to 10 days

More Shipping Options

Payment Methods Accepted

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • PayPal

About This Item

Joseph Henry Press, May 2006. Hardcover. Used Very Good. We carry new and used books in our storefront. We want you to be satisfied with your purchase. Please contact us if you have questions regarding this item.

Synopsis

For curious nonmathematicians and armchair algebra buffs, John Derbyshire discovers the story behind the formulae, roots, and radicals. As he did so masterfully in Prime Obsession , Derbyshire brings the evolution of mathematical thinking to dramatic life by focusing on the key historical players. Unknown Quantity begins in the time of Abraham and Isaac and moves from Abel?s proof to the higher levels of abstraction developed by Galois through modern-day advances. Derbyshire explains how a simple turn of thought from ?this plus this equals this? to ?this plus what equals this?? gave birth to a whole new way of perceiving the world. With a historian?s narrative authority and a beloved teacher?s clarity and passion, Derbyshire leads readers on an intellectually satisfying and pleasantly challenging journey through the development of abstract mathematical thought.

Reviews

(Log in or Create an Account first!)

You’re rating the book as a work, not the seller or the specific copy you purchased!

Details

Bookseller
Firefly Bookstore LLC US (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #
413053
Title
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
Author
John Derbyshire
Format/Binding
Hardcover
Book Condition
Used Very Good
Quantity Available
1
ISBN 10
030909657X
ISBN 13
9780309096577
Publisher
Joseph Henry Press
Place of Publication
Washington, D.c.
Date Published
May 2006
Pages
390

Terms of Sale

Firefly Bookstore LLC

30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives mis-described or damaged.

About the Seller

Firefly Bookstore LLC

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Biblio member since 2013
Kutztown, Pennsylvania

About Firefly Bookstore LLC

Located in downtown Kutztown, we are an independently-owned and operated New and Used bookstore. Started in 2012 by two book aficionados, Firefly Bookstore strives to provide the best in diverse products and customer services. In addition to books on almost any subject, Firefly carries a large range of products including cards, bookmarks, audio books, and family tree charts. We carry over 60,000 items in 3000 sq/ft of space.Additionally, we have a large tabletop game selection, including board games, dice and card games, and Role-Playing titles. We have a wide selection of puzzles from Pomegranate and others. We have in stock new, each year, a large collection of current year Calendars with 100s of titles and styles to choose from, always discounted.We buy and trade books and games whenever the store is open, and we are looking for material for every section. Store credit can be used on new and used material. We are interested in large purchases, such as collections and estate sales. We are particularly looking for gaming books, metaphysics, history, cooking, science, Pennsylvania history and children's books.For current news and announcements, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fireflybookstore.We carry new and used books in our storefront. We want you to be satisfied with your purchase. Please contact us if you have questions regarding this itemStore hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

New
A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...

This Book’s Categories

tracking-