In the early seventeenth century, the outcome of something as simple as a dice roll was consigned to the realm of unknowable chance. Mathematicians largely agreed that it was impossible to predict the probability of an occurrence. Then, in 1654, Blaise Pascal wrote to Pierre de Fermat explaining that he had discovered how to calculate risk. The two collaborated to develop what is now known as probability theory,a concept that allows us to think rationally about decisions and events. In The Unfinished Game , Keith Devlin masterfully chronicles Pascal and Fermat's mathematical breakthrough, connecting a centuries-old discovery with its remarkable impact on the modern world.
| ISBN: | 9780465018963 |
| Publication date: | 23rd March 2010 |
| Author: | Keith J Devlin |
| Publisher: | Basic Books an imprint of Little, Brown |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 208 pages |
| Series: | Basic Ideas |
| Genres: |
Mathematics Philosophy of mathematics History of mathematics |
In the early seventeenth century, the outcome of something as simple as a dice roll was consigned to the realm of unknowable chance. Mathematicians largely agreed that it was impossible to predict the probability of an occurrence. Then, in 1654, Blaise Pascal wrote to Pierre de Fermat explaining that he had discovered how to calculate risk. The two collaborated to develop what is now known as probability theory,a concept that allows us to think rationally about decisions and events. In The Unfinished Game , Keith Devlin masterfully chronicles Pascal and Fermat's mathematical breakthrough, connecting a centuries-old discovery with its remarkable impact on the modern world.
The Unfinished Game features in the following genres: Mathematics, Philosophy of mathematics, History of mathematics
The Unfinished Game is available in Paperback
The Unfinished Game was written by Keith J Devlin and published by Basic Books an imprint of Little, Brown
The Unfinished Game has 208 pages
Yes it is part of Basic Ideas series
£15.29