1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910463091703321

Autore

Van Brummelen Glen

Titolo

Heavenly mathematics [[electronic resource] ] : the forgotten art of spherical trigonometry / / Glen Van Brummelen

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Princeton, : Princeton University Press, c2013

ISBN

1-299-05125-1

1-4008-4480-0

Edizione

[Course Book]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (217 p.)

Disciplina

516.24

Soggetti

Spherical trigonometry

Trigonometry

Electronic books.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Heavenly mathematics -- Exploring the sphere -- The ancient approach -- The medieval approach -- The modern approach: right-angled triangles -- The modern approach: oblique triangles -- Areas, angles, and polyhedra -- Stereographic projection -- Navigation.

Sommario/riassunto

Heavenly Mathematics traces the rich history of spherical trigonometry, revealing how the cultures of classical Greece, medieval Islam, and the modern West used this forgotten art to chart the heavens and the Earth. Once at the heart of astronomy and ocean-going navigation for two millennia, the discipline was also a mainstay of mathematics education for centuries and taught widely until the 1950's. Glen Van Brummelen explores this exquisite branch of mathematics and its role in ancient astronomy, geography, and cartography; Islamic religious rituals; celestial navigation; polyhedra; stereographic projection; and more. He conveys the sheer beauty of spherical trigonometry, providing readers with a new appreciation of its elegant proofs and often surprising conclusions. Heavenly Mathematics is illustrated throughout with stunning historical images and informative drawings and diagrams. This unique compendium also features easy-to-use appendixes as well as exercises that originally appeared in textbooks from the eighteenth to the early twentieth centuries.