This remarkable book has endured as a true masterpiece of mathematical exposition. There are few mathematics books that are still so widely read and continue to have so much to offer-even after more than half a century has passed! The book is overflowing with mathematical ideas, which are always explained clearly and elegantly, and above all, with penetrating insight. It is a joy to read, both for beginners and experienced mathematicians. "Hilbert and Cohn-Vossen" is full of interesting facts, many of which you wish you had ...
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This remarkable book has endured as a true masterpiece of mathematical exposition. There are few mathematics books that are still so widely read and continue to have so much to offer-even after more than half a century has passed! The book is overflowing with mathematical ideas, which are always explained clearly and elegantly, and above all, with penetrating insight. It is a joy to read, both for beginners and experienced mathematicians. "Hilbert and Cohn-Vossen" is full of interesting facts, many of which you wish you had known before. It's also likely that you have heard those facts before, but surely wondered where they could be found. The book begins with examples of the simplest curves and surfaces, including thread constructions of certain quadrics and other surfaces. The chapter on regular systems of points leads to the crystallographic groups and the regular polyhedra in R3. In this chapter, they also discuss plane lattices. By considering unit lattices, and throwing in a small amount of number theory when necessary, they effortlessly derive Leibniz's series: ?/4=1?1/3+1/5?1/7+?.... In the section on lattices in three and more dimensions, the authors consider sphere-packing problems, including the famous Kepler problem. One of the most remarkable chapters is "Projective Configurations". In a short introductory section, Hilbert and Cohn-Vossen give perhaps the most concise and lucid description of why a general geometer would care about projective geometry and why such an ostensibly plain setup is truly rich in structure and ideas. Here, we see regular polyhedra again, from a different perspective. One of the high points of the chapter is the discussion of Schlafli's Double-Six, which leads to the description of the 27 lines on the general smooth cubic surface. As is true throughout the book, the magnificent drawings in this chapter immeasurably help the reader. A particularly intriguing section in the chapter on differential geometry is Eleven Properties of the Sphere. Which eleven properties of such a ubiquitous mathematical object caught their discerning eye and why? Many mathematicians are familiar with the plaster models of surfaces found in many mathematics departments. The book includes pictures of some of the models that are found in the G???ttingen collection. Furthermore, the mysterious lines that mark these surfaces are finally explained! The chapter on kinematics includes a nice discussion of linkages and the geometry of configurations of points and rods that are connected and, perhaps, constrained in some way. This topic in geometry has become increasingly important in recent times, especially in applications to robotics. This is another example of a simple situation that leads to a rich geometry. It would be hard to overestimate the continuing influence Hilbert-Cohn-Vossen's book has had on mathematicians of this century. It surely belongs in the "pantheon" of great mathematics books.
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Add this copy of Geometry and the Imagination to cart. $39.48, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published by Chelsea.
Add this copy of Geometry and the Imagination to cart. $40.21, good condition, Sold by Anybook rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lincoln, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1952 by Chelsea Publishing Company.
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Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. In good all round condition. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 850grams, ISBN:
Add this copy of Geometry and the Imagination. Second Edition to cart. $41.16, very good condition, Sold by Zubal Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Cleveland, OH, UNITED STATES, published 1952 by Chelsea Publishing Company.
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ix, 357 pp., Hardcover, previous owner's name to front pastedown and small inscription to rear pastedown, light age-toning to pastedowns and endpapers else very good. -If you are reading this, this item is actually (physically) in our stock and ready for shipment once ordered. We are not bookjackers. Buyer is responsible for any additional duties, taxes, or fees required by recipient's country.
Add this copy of Geometry and the Imagination (Ams Chelsea Publishing) to cart. $42.01, good condition, Sold by HPB-Red rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by American Mathematical Society.
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Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Geometry and the Imagination 1952 to cart. $44.00, good condition, Sold by BooXX in Stock rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from DEKALB, IL, UNITED STATES, published 1932 by Chelsea.
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Good. Textbook Mine is a pre owned copy with owner's name (JASchumacher) 1X in ink; 357 pages, all clean all unmarked; gray linen covers; spine w. crisp-ish golden lettering; xtra information: Anschauliche Geometrie; 1932 Goettingen is the orignal German language title! HARDcover! I ship daily at 0900 CT IL USA; anywhere you wish;
Add this copy of Geometry and the Imagination to cart. $65.15, Sold by BookDepart rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Shepherdstown, WV, UNITED STATES, published 1952 by Chelsea Publishing Company.
Edition:
1952, Chelsea Publishing Company
Hardcover
Details:
Publisher:
Chelsea Publishing Company
Published:
1952
Alibris ID:
18373543591
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UsedGood. Hardcover; translated by P. Nemenyi; this work is an English translation of the famous Anschauliche Geometrie. Fading, scuffing, and shelf wear to ext erior; former owner's name written on front endpaper; small amount of under lining and a few margin notes; fading to pages; in good condition with firm binding. No dust jacket.
