Unknown Quantity
by Derbyshire, John
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
Review this book!
Available Copies
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2007-05-29
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780452288539
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Simi Valley, California, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$3.26
Show Details
Description:
Plume, 2007-05-29. Paperback. Good. 0.9000 7.9000 5.3000. Pages are tanned and clean, text and pictures are intact and unmarred. Item Price
CA$3.26
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imagined History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781843545699
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
CA$22.86
Show Details
Description:
Hardback. Very Good. Item Price
CA$22.86
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Published
- 2007
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780452288539
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$8.30
Show Details
Description:
Plume, 2007. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
CA$8.30
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imagined History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781843545699
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
CA$22.86
Show Details
Description:
Hardback. Good. Item Price
CA$22.86
Unknown quantity : a real and imagined history of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2007
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9781843545699
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$10.52
Show Details
Description:
Atlantic Books, 2007. Hardcover. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket… Read more about this item Item Price
CA$10.52
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good Dust Jacket
- Published
- 2006
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780309096577
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
West Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$13.86
Show Details
Description:
Washington, D.C.: Joseph Henry Press, 2006. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good Dust Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. 374 pp. Tightly bound. Corners not bumped. Text is free of markings. No ownership markings. Very good dust jacket. Just a hint of light foxing on the reverse side of the dust jacket.
Item Price
CA$13.86
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imagined History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- New
- Jacket Condition
- New
- Edition
- First British Edition
- Published
- 2007
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9781843545699
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
HARWICH PORT, Massachusetts, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$30.48
Show Details
Description:
London: Atlantic, 2007. Book. New. Cloth. First British Edition. 8vo. In this elegant and engaging book, the author of Prime Obsession gives form to the beauty and mystery of that most abstract of mathematical disciplines, algebra. Derbyshire brings to life the extraordinary historical characters who, through the centuries and around the world, played a role in its genesis: Diophantus, the… Read more about this item Item Price
CA$30.48
Unknown quantity : a real and imagined history of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Used:Good
- Published
- 2007-01-01
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9781843545699
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
HOUSTON, Texas, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$56.25
Show Details
Description:
Atlantic Books, 2007-01-01. Hardcover. Used:Good. Item Price
CA$56.25
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imagined History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- As new, clean, tight & bright condition, with bright and crisp dust jacket
- Published
- 2007
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9781843545699
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Baldwin City, Kansas, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$20.78
Show Details
Description:
Atlantic Books, 2007. Hardcover. As new, clean, tight & bright condition, with bright and crisp dust jacket. 382pp. Item Price
CA$20.78
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Like New
- Published
- 2007
- Binding
- Softcover
- ISBN
- 9780452288539
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
New Castle, Colorado, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$9.14
Show Details
Description:
Plume Books, 2007. Softcover. Like New. 5x0x7. 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… Read more about this item Item Price
CA$9.14
Unknown Quantity : A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9780452288539
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Mishawaka, Indiana, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$9.99
Show Details
Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Item Price
CA$9.99
Unknown Quantity : A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by John Derbyshire
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2006
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780309096577
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$8.33
Show Details
Description:
National Academies Press, 2006. Hardcover. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. The dust jacket is missing. At ThriftBooks, our motto is:… Read more about this item Item Price
CA$8.33
Unknown Quantity : A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9780452288539
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Mishawaka, Indiana, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$9.59
Show Details
Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Item Price
CA$9.59
Unknown Quantity : A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by John Derbyshire
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2006
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780309096577
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$8.33
Show Details
Description:
National Academies Press, 2006. Hardcover. Good. Disclaimer:Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
CA$8.33
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780452288539
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
CA$15.29
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Very Good. Item Price
CA$15.29
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by John Derbyshire
- Condition
- Used Very Good
- Published
- May 2006
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780309096577
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Kutztown, Pennsylvania, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$9.68
Show Details
Description:
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. Item Price
CA$9.68
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by John Derbyshire
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2006-05-15
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780309096577
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
HOUSTON, Texas, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$10.34
Show Details
Description:
Joseph Henry Press, 2006-05-15. Hardcover. Good. Excellent customer service. Prompt Customer Service. Item Price
CA$10.34
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by John Derbyshire
- Condition
- Used:Good
- Published
- 2006-05-15
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780309096577
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
HOUSTON, Texas, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$35.04
Show Details
Description:
Joseph Henry Press, 2006-05-15. Hardcover. Used:Good. Item Price
CA$35.04
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Like New
- Edition
- Illustrated. Annotated
- Published
- 2008
- Binding
- Hard cover
- ISBN
- 9780309096577
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Frontenac, Minnesota, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$27.71
Show Details
Description:
Joseph Henry Press, 2008. Illustrated. Annotated. Hard cover. Like New. Fine in fine dust jacket. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 374 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. Item Price
CA$27.71
Unknown Quantity : A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
by Derbyshire, John
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9780309096577
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Mishawaka, Indiana, USA
- Item Price
-
CA$10.00
Show Details
Description:
National Academies Press. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Item Price
CA$10.00
