Geometry: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

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The study of geometry is at least 2500 years old, and it is within this field that the concept of mathematical proof - deductive reasoning from a set of axioms - first arose. This book provides a fresh modern introduction to geometry, an ancient branch of mathematics with important applications. But for someone who is not very familiar with mathematics, it won't make any sense, for such a person this book can be hard, confusing and boring. There are so many gems in every chapter and the way they are connected makes you understand why mathematicians treat them in that way. I enjoyed this book so much, and because of its length, I finished it in one "seating" :-) The most important idea that I learned is to think about what a mathematical object DOES rather what it IS.

the book is more a descriptive approach for the technical side of mathematics and since it's written by a mathematician, you can sense their handprint on the subject matter, it may seem complex and dry on the surface but when you keep on going it introduces topics which might surprise you in lots of ways. Many of the examples used to introduce to the reader to mathematical thinking are explained more clearly (and in a more engaging fashion) in Fermat's Enigma by Simon Singh. The first few chapters are very strong, Gowers describes that mental models are, goes on to describing numbers, graphs and abstractions and then goes on to proofs.

Very Short Introductions : Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. Maciej Dunajski, Professor of Mathematical Physics, University of Cambridge Maciej Dunajski is a Fellow of Clare College http: //www. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. This Very Short Introduction covers the areas of mathematics falling under geometry, starting with topics such as Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries, and ranging to curved spaces, projective geometry in Renaissance art, and geometry of space-time inside a black hole. I would say that the best audience of the book is a beginning undergrad in a stem program, a motivated and mature high school students with a keen interest on maths or a layman with some maturity of mathematical concepts.

Gradually they will get used to only half understanding what their mathemtics teachers say, and after a few more missed leaps they will find that even half is an overestimate. Even if you are familiar with the majority of the presented concepts, this (very) short intro, will surely provide you with a fresh and interesting way of viewing them.Don't bother with this one; if you want an engaging an accessible overview of mathematics, go pick up the far more interesting 'Language of Mathematics,' by Kieth Devlin.