Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. More information

Bell 1999 Springer

From Bioblast
Publications in the MiPMap
Bell John L (1999) The art of the intelligible. An elementary survey of mathematics in its conceptual development. Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht:249 pp.


Bell John L (1999) Springer

Abstract:

β€’ Bioblast editor: Gnaiger E

Selected quotes

  • p 1: Numbers are assigned to collections by means of the process of counting, that is, the procedure of matching the elements of a collection successively with the ascending sequence of numbers, or number names. The recognition that the procedure of counting "one, two, three, four, ..." can be performed intransitively, in other words, that when counting it is not necessary to be actually counting something, is likely to have been instrumental in establishing the universality of the number concept. Indeed, it has been suggested that the art of counting arose in connection with primitive religious ritual and that the counting or ordinal aspect of number preceeded the emergence of the quantitative or cardinal aspect.
  • p 2: ..the term "calculate" derives from the Latin word 'calculus' meaning "small stone".
  • p 2: It has been observed by Aristotle that the customary choice of base 10 is merely the result of the accidental fact that human beings happen to possess five fingers on each of two hands.
  • p 2: The earlies numerals or formal signs for numbers of which we possess definite record appeard in Egypt around 3400 B.C. The Egyptian sysem of hieroglyphic numerals amplyed strokes for numbers below ten, and special symbols for powers of ten, ..
  • p 6: The first fully positional system of enumeration was developed by the Mayas of Yucatan around 300 A.D.


Labels:






Number, X-mass Carol