Birth of a theorem: a mathematical adventure by Cédric Villani (trans Malcolm DeBevoise, ill Claude Gongard). The Bodley Head, 2015, 272pp. [Book Review]

Article

Lawrence, S. 2016. Birth of a theorem: a mathematical adventure by Cédric Villani (trans Malcolm DeBevoise, ill Claude Gongard). The Bodley Head, 2015, 272pp. [Book Review]. BSHM Bulletin: Journal of the British Society for the History of Mathematics. 31 (3), pp. 263-265. https://doi.org/10.1080/17498430.2016.1208394
TypeArticle
TitleBirth of a theorem: a mathematical adventure by Cédric Villani (trans Malcolm DeBevoise, ill Claude Gongard). The Bodley Head, 2015, 272pp. [Book Review]
AuthorsLawrence, S.
Abstract

A review of the book: Birth of a theorem: a mathematical adventure by Cédric Villani (trans Malcolm DeBevoise, ill Claude Gongard). The Bodley Head, 2015, 272pp, £18.99, ISBN 978-1-84-792252-6
There are some questions about mathematics and mathematicians that are repeatedly and persistently asked. Let’s start with mathematics. ‘When will we need this?’ is pretty much a standard in any mathematics classroom (I suggest use of a crystal ball at such times), and ‘what is the use of...?’ is another. As readers of this journal know, that is not what mathematicians think or much care about, or why mathematics gets created in the first place. Like artists, mathematicians don’t create art to please but to communicate what they have learned.

PublisherTaylor and Francis
JournalBSHM Bulletin: Journal of the British Society for the History of Mathematics
ISSN1749-8430
Electronic1749-8341
Publication dates
Online31 Oct 2016
Publication process dates
Deposited01 Apr 2020
Accepted10 Feb 2015
Output statusPublished
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/17498430.2016.1208394
LanguageEnglish
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