{"product_id":"unknown-quantity-john-derbyshire-9780452288539","title":"Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra","description":"\u003cb\u003ePerfect for history buffs and armchair algebra experts, \u003ci\u003eUnknown Quantity\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of the development of abstract mathematical thought.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eJohn Derbyshire discovers the story behind the formulae, roots, and radicals. As he did so masterfully in \u003ci\u003ePrime Obsession\u003c\/i\u003e, Derbyshire brings the evolution of mathematical thinking to dramatic life by focusing on the key historical players. \u003ci\u003eUnknown Quantity\u003c\/i\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003ewhat\u003c\/i\u003e 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 historical and mathematical journey.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e John Derbyshire\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0452288533\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780452288539\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Penguin Publishing Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/01\/2007\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 400\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.72lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.98h x 5.36w x 0.86d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eScience Books \u0026amp; Films\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2007 pg. 250\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eScitech Book News\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/01\/2008 pg. 29","brand":"John Derbyshire","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44213360394495,"sku":"9780452288539","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_73bea061-ad1d-4890-98de-2c599b3e28a5.jpg?v=1692113437","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/unknown-quantity-john-derbyshire-9780452288539","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}