Trigonometric Delights
About this book
A fun, entertaining exploration of the ideas and people behind the growth of trigonometry
Trigonometry has a reputation as a dry, difficult branch of mathematics, a glorified form of geometry complicated by tedious computation. In Trigonometric Delights, Eli Maor dispels this view. Rejecting the usual descriptions of sine, cosine, and their trigonometric relatives, he brings the subject to life in a compelling blend of history, biography, and mathematics. From the proto-trigonometry of the Egyptian pyramid builders and the first true trigonometry developed by Greek astronomers, to the epicycles and hypocycles of the toy Spirograph, Maor presents both a survey of the main elements of trigonometry and a unique account of its vital contribution to science and social growth. A tapestry of stories, curiosities, insights, and illustrations, Trigonometric Delights irrevocably changes how we see this essential mathematical discipline.
Tools to learn more effectively
Saving Books
Keyword Search
Annotating Text
Listen to it instead
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Preface
- Prologue: Ahmes the Scribe, 1650 B.C.
- Recreational Mathematics in Ancient Egypt
- 1. Angles
- 2. Chords
- Plimpton 322: The Earliest Trigonometric Table?
- 3. Six Functions Come of Age
- Johann Müller, alias Regiomontanus
- 4. Trigonometry Becomes Analytic
- François Viète
- 5. Measuring Heaven and Earth
- Abraham De Moivre
- 6. Two Theorems from Geometry
- 7. Epicycloids and Hypocycloids
- Maria Agnesi and Her "Witch"
- 8. Variations on a Theme by Gauss
- 9. Had Zeno Only Known This!
- 10. (sin x)/x
- 11. A Remarkable Formula
- Jules Lissajous and His Figures
- 12. tan x
- 13. A Mapmaker's Paradise
- 14. sin x = 2: Imaginary Trigonometry
- Edmund Landau: The Master Rigorist
- 15. Fourier's Theorem
- Appendixes
- Bibliography
- Credits for Illustrations
- Index
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app