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Numbers [Ebbinghaus] - mklabgr - 07-25-2026
Numbers
BY Heinz-Dieter Ebbinghaus
Summary
Numbers—part of the Graduate Texts in Mathematics series by Heinz-Dieter Ebbinghaus, Hans Hermes, Friedrich Hirzebruch, and co-authors—presents a comprehensive overview of the historical and mathematical evolution of numerical concepts. Spanning thousands of years of mathematical thought, the volume explores a vast spectrum of numbers ranging from foundational rational and real numbers to more advanced systems like infinitesimals, quaternions, and octonions.
It dives deep into key historical moments, shed light on the 17th-century mysteries surrounding imaginary numbers, and tracks major theoretical breakthroughs up through the 20th century. Additionally, the text addresses specific historical curiosities, such as William Rowan Hamilton’s deep obsession with quaternions and the 19th-century outlook on quaternionic analysis. Written as both a historical narrative and a rigorous mathematical guide, the book illuminates how the overarching concept of numbers has expanded over millennia to shape modern mathematics.
BOOK