In 1752 Voltaire published Micromegas, the story of a 120,000-foot tall resident of a planet of Sirius who visited our solar system. As a parting gift, the visitor gave the French Academy of Sciences a book that, he said, contained the answer to all things. On examination, the book was found to be blank. This is the riddle: why was it blank? Voltaire's Riddle contains a new translation of the story and continues with a series of chapters, each of which begins with a historical or literary vignette followed by the ...
Read More
In 1752 Voltaire published Micromegas, the story of a 120,000-foot tall resident of a planet of Sirius who visited our solar system. As a parting gift, the visitor gave the French Academy of Sciences a book that, he said, contained the answer to all things. On examination, the book was found to be blank. This is the riddle: why was it blank? Voltaire's Riddle contains a new translation of the story and continues with a series of chapters, each of which begins with a historical or literary vignette followed by the mathematics behind it. Topics include trajectories of comets, the flattening of the Earth at the poles, Maupertius's pursuit problem, Durer's possible use of trochoids, and the precession of the equinoxes. The book ends with possible answers to Voltaire's riddle. Readers need know little more than calculus.
Read Less
Add this copy of Voltaire's Riddle to cart. $27.99, very good condition, Sold by Russell Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Victoria, BC, CANADA, published 2010 by Mathematical Association of America.
Add this copy of Voltaire's Riddle (Dolciani Mathematical Expositions) to cart. $55.55, good condition, Sold by Anybook rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lincoln, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2010 by The Mathematical Association Of America.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Volume 39. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings. 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, 750grams, ISBN: 9780883853450.
Add this copy of Voltaire's Riddle (Dolciani Mathematical Expositions) to cart. $68.81, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Clarita, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by The Mathematical Association o.
Add this copy of Voltaire's Riddle to cart. $76.82, like new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Mathematical Association of America.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. 396 p. Dolciani Mathematical Expositions . Intended for college/higher education audience. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Voltaire's Riddle to cart. $82.11, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Mathematical Association of America.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. 396 p. Dolciani Mathematical Expositions . Intended for college/higher education audience. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Voltaire's Riddle (Dolciani Mathematical Expositions) to cart. $82.12, new condition, Sold by Kennys.ie rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Galway, IRELAND, published 2010 by Mathematical Association of America.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. An exploration of Voltaire's Micromegas which presents the mathematics behind the polar expedition and suggests some answers to Voltaire's riddle. Series: Dolciani Mathematical Expositions. Num Pages: 396 pages, Illustrations, 1 map. BIC Classification: PB. Category: (G) General (US: Trade); (U) Tertiary Education (US: College). Dimension: 247 x 174 x 24. Weight in Grams: 650. 2009. Hardcover.....We ship daily from our Bookshop.