{"product_id":"what-is-a-number-robert-tubbs-9780801890185","title":"What Is a Number?: Mathematical Concepts and Their Origins","description":"\u003cp\u003e2009 Outstanding Academic Title, \u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMathematics often seems incomprehensible, a melee of strange symbols thrown down on a page. But while formulae, theorems, and proofs can involve highly complex concepts, the math becomes transparent when viewed as part of a bigger picture. \u003ci\u003eWhat Is a Number?\u003c\/i\u003e provides that picture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobert Tubbs examines how mathematical concepts like number, geometric truth, infinity, and proof have been employed by artists, theologians, philosophers, writers, and cosmologists from ancient times to the modern era. Looking at a broad range of topics--from Pythagoras's exploration of the connection between harmonious sounds and mathematical ratios to the understanding of time in both Western and pre-Columbian thought--Tubbs ties together seemingly disparate ideas to demonstrate the relationship between the sometimes elusive thought of artists and philosophers and the concrete logic of mathematicians. He complements his textual arguments with diagrams and illustrations. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis historic and thematic study refutes the received wisdom that mathematical concepts are esoteric and divorced from other intellectual pursuits--revealing them instead as dynamic and intrinsic to almost every human endeavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Robert Tubbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0801890187\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780801890185\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Johns Hopkins University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/22\/2008\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 320\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.95lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.70h x 5.90w x 0.90d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/01\/2009","brand":"Robert Tubbs","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46571040932095,"sku":"9780801890185","price":34.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_e6ac6783-b656-4a4e-90bf-004297971848.jpg?v=1738807072","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/what-is-a-number-robert-tubbs-9780801890185","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}