{"product_id":"gamma-julian-havil-9780691178103","title":"Gamma: Exploring Euler's Constant","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmong the many constants that appear in mathematics, \u003ci\u003eπ\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003ee\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003ei\u003c\/i\u003e are the most familiar. Following closely behind is \u003ci\u003ey\u003c\/i\u003e, or gamma, a constant that arises in many mathematical areas yet maintains a profound sense of mystery. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In a tantalizing blend of history and mathematics, Julian Havil takes the reader on a journey through logarithms and the harmonic series, the two defining elements of gamma, toward the first account of gamma's place in mathematics. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Introduced by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler (1707-1783), who figures prominently in this book, gamma is defined as the limit of the sum of 1 + 1\/2 + 1\/3 + . . . Up to 1\/\u003ci\u003en\u003c\/i\u003e, minus the natural logarithm of \u003ci\u003en\u003c\/i\u003e--the numerical value being 0.5772156. . . . But unlike its more celebrated colleagues \u003ci\u003eπ\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003ee\u003c\/i\u003e, the exact nature of gamma remains a mystery--we don't even know if gamma can be expressed as a fraction. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Among the numerous topics that arise during this historical odyssey into fundamental mathematical ideas are the Prime Number Theorem and the most important open problem in mathematics today--the Riemann Hypothesis (though no proof of either is offered ). \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Sure to be popular with not only students and instructors but all math aficionados, \u003ci\u003eGamma\u003c\/i\u003e takes us through countries, centuries, lives, and works, unfolding along the way the stories of some remarkable mathematics from some remarkable mathematicians.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Julian Havil\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0691178100\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780691178103\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Princeton University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/31\/2017\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 296\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.65lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.40h x 5.50w x 0.90d","brand":"Julian Havil","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44047773794559,"sku":"9780691178103","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_1ec860ad-87be-4db5-a5e0-f6f5f9a5f318.jpg?v=1684992100","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/gamma-julian-havil-9780691178103","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}