Product Description

Trigonometry has always been the black sheep of mathematics. It has a reputation as a dry and difficult subject, a glorified form of geometry complicated by tedious computation. In this book, Eli Maor draws on his remarkable talents as a guide to the world of numbers to dispel that view. Rejecting the usual arid descriptions of sine, cosine, and their trigonometric relatives, he brings the subject to life in a compelling blend of history, biography, and mathematics. He presents both a survey of the main elements of trigonometry and a unique account of its vital contribution to science and social development. Woven together in a tapestry of entertaining stories, scientific curiosities, and educational insights, the book more than lives up to the title Trigonometric Delights.

Maor, whose previous books have demystified the concept of infinity and the unusual number "e," begins by examining the "proto-trigonometry" of the Egyptian pyramid builders. He shows how Greek astronomers developed the first true trigonometry. He traces the slow emergence of modern, analytical trigonometry, recounting its colorful origins in Renaissance Europe's quest for more accurate artillery, more precise clocks, and more pleasing musical instruments. Along the way, we see trigonometry at work in, for example, the struggle of the famous mapmaker Gerardus Mercator to represent the curved earth on a flat sheet of paper; we see how M. C. Escher used geometric progressions in his art; and we learn how the toy Spirograph uses epicycles and hypocycles.

Maor also sketches the lives of some of the intriguing figures who have shaped four thousand years of trigonometric history. We meet, for instance, the Renaissance scholar Regiomontanus, who is rumored to have been poisoned for insulting a colleague, and Maria Agnesi, an eighteenth-century Italian genius who gave up mathematics to work with the poor--but not before she investigated a special curve that, due to mistranslation, bears the unfortunate name "the witch of Agnesi." The book is richly illustrated, including rare prints from the author's own collection. Trigonometric Delights will change forever our view of a once dreaded subject.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #68540 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
Maor's presentation of the historical development of the concepts and results deepens one's appreciation of them, and his discussion of the personalities involved and their politics and religions puts a human face on the subject. His exposition of mathematical arguments is thorough and remarkably easy to understand. There is a lot of material here that teachers can use to keep their students awake and interested. In short, Trigonometric Delights should be required reading for everyone who teaches trigonometry and can be highly recommended for anyone who uses it. -- George H. Swift American Mathematics Monthly

Review
Maor's presentation of the historical development of the concepts and results deepens one's appreciation of them, and his discussion of the personalities involved and their politics and religions puts a human face on the subject. His exposition of mathematical arguments is thorough and remarkably easy to understand. There is a lot of material here that teachers can use to keep their students awake and interested. In short, Trigonometric Delights should be required reading for everyone who teaches trigonometry and can be highly recommended for anyone who uses it.
(George H. Swift American Mathematics Monthly )

Review
If you think trigonometry has no more surprises for you, read Trigonometric Delights. Eli Maor will change your mind. The book presents the subject and its history the way they should be presented--it's a delight to read.
(Paul J. Nahin, author of "Duelling Idiots and Other Probability Puzzlers" )

Customer Reviews

A joy, and not just for mathematicians
This book is amazing. It takes a very boring and dry subject and makes it accesible and interesting, without ever once 'dumbing down'. This is NOT trigonometry for dummies. This is Trigonometric Delights, and it lives up to its title.

Ranging through historic approaches to trigonometry, coupled with sections on areas that obviously delighted the author when he discovered them, the book never loses the reader, which is an amazing achievement.

If I had to think of who would buy this book, then I would say:
any parent of a child (13-18) finding maths hard/boring/impenetrable
any university student
all maths teachers (especially the part about the unit circle)
anyone who liked Simon Singh's Fermats Last Theorem, but would have
liked to see more of the subject matter and less of the story

Basically, if you are interested enough to be reading a review of this book then you should buy it. You will not be disappointed. If you are not reading reviews about this book, don't buy it.

Very good if expensive!
The book starts with angles and chords and a description of Plimpton 322. These chapters are good enough but the book seems to get better with each chapter. As a mathematics teacher, I found some of the chapters fantastic and others good, if a little heavy. The chapter "Two theorems from Geometry" states a few things I didn't previously know and made me think a lot!
The book is a little expensive, but like "e: The Story of a Number", the book is well written, interesting and most of all shows beauty in mathematics.
The appendix with a list of trigonometric formulae (not the basic ones you will already know) is wonderful.
If you like trig, get it, if not, you will when you read it!