About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherDover Publications, Incorporated

ISBN-100486296644

ISBN-139780486296647

eBay Product ID (ePID)732013

Product Key Features

Number of Pages240 Pages

LanguageEnglish

Publication NameMathematical Fallacies and Paradoxes

Publication Year1997

SubjectGeneral, Physics / Mathematical & Computational, Mathematical Analysis

FeaturesReprint

TypeTextbook

AuthorBryan Bunch, Marcia Ascher, Robert Ascher

Subject AreaMathematics, Science

SeriesDover Books on Mathematics Ser.

FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Weight10.5 Oz

Item Length8.5 in

Item Width5.5 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceCollege Audience

LCCN97-015386

Dewey Edition21

Dewey Decimal511.3

Edition DescriptionReprint

Table Of ContentPreface 1 Thinking Wrong about Easy Ideas 2 Thinking Wrong about Infinity 3 Using a Wrong Idea to Find Truth 4 Speaking with Forked Tongue 5 Paradoxes That Count 6 The Limits of Thought? 7 Misunderstanding Space and Time 8 Moving against Infinity Selected Further Reading Index

SynopsisStimulating, thought-provoking analysis of the most interesting intellectual inconsistencies in mathematics, physics, and language, including being led astray by algebra (De Morgan's paradox). 1982 edition., From ancient Greek mathematics to 20th-century quantum theory, paradoxes, fallacies and other intellectual inconsistencies have long puzzled and intrigued the mind of man. This stimulating, thought-provoking compilation collects and analyzes the most interesting paradoxes and fallacies from mathematics, logic, physics and language. While focusing primarily on mathematical issues of the 20th century (notably Godel's theorem of 1931 and decision problems in general), the work takes a look as well at the mind-bending formulations of such brilliant men as Galileo, Leibniz, Georg Cantor and Lewis Carroll and describes them in readily accessible detail. Readers will find themselves engrossed in delightful elucidations of methods for misunderstanding the real world by experiment (Aristotle's Circle paradox), being led astray by algebra (De Morgan's paradox), failing to comprehend real events through logic (the Swedish Civil Defense Exercise paradox), mistaking infinity (Euler's paradox), understanding how chance ceases to work in the real world (the Petersburg paradox) and other puzzling problems. Some high school algebra and geometry is assumed; any other math needed is developed in the text. Entertaining and mind-expanding, this volume will appeal to anyone looking for challenging mental exercises., Stimulating, thought-provoking analysis of the most interesting intellectual inconsistencies in mathematics, physics and language, including being led astray by algebra (De Morgan's paradox). Reprint of 1982 edition.

LC Classification NumberQA9.B847 1997