In 1821, Augustin-Louis Cauchy (1789-1857) published a textbook, the Cours d’analyse, to accompany his course in analysis at the Ecole Polytechnique. It is one of the most influential mathematics books ever written. Not only did Cauchy provide a workable definition of limits and a means to make them the basis of a rigorous theory of calculus, but he also revitalized the idea that all mathematics could be set on such rigorous foundations. Today, the quality of a work of mathematics is judged in part on the quality of its rigor, and this standard is largely due to the transformation brought about by Cauchy and the Cours d’analyse.
For this translation, the authors have also added commentary, notes, references, and an index.
"The book under review comes equipped with a well-written Translator’s Preface, full of interesting and relevant historical data, placing Cauchy’s work in the present connection in the proper historical context. … Cauchy’s Cours d’analyse, An Annotated Translation is a major contribution to mathematical historical scholarship, and it is most welcome indeed to have occasion to examine the infancy of a part of modern analysis, to recognize familiar things in archaic and even arcane phrasings … and, through it all, to witness a grandmaster in action." (Michael Berg, The Mathematical Association of America, November, 2009)
“Bradley (Adelphi Univ.) and Sandifer (Western Connecticut State Univ.) have written an annotated, indexed translation of Cauchy’s classic textbook from 1821. The work’s most interested readers will probably be students and researchers of the history and philosophy of mathematics education, and education in general. … it will be valuable for specialized historical collections. Summing Up: Essential. … academic history of mathematics education and history of science collections, lower-division undergraduates and above.” (M. Bona, Choice, Vol. 47 (6), February, 2010)
“It covers real functions, continuity, simultaneous linear equations, interpolation by polynomials, special functional equations, convergent and divergent series, complex numbers, functions and series, the fundamental theorem of algebra, the numerical solution of equations and infinite products, among other things. The translators provide a preface, about 200 (mostly brief) footnotes and a bibliography of 64 items. … The footnotes and bibliography give, or lead to, useful information on historical questions.” (M. E. Muldoon, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2010 h)
“The majority of mathematical activity now takes place in English … so this translation is especially welcome. … It is a mathematical delight to read through this book. … Cauchy carefully built the subject up from the most elementary ideas in algebra and arithmetic. … Readers of this review should encourage their libraries to get this book, and anyone interested in the history of mathematical analysis will want to own a copy.” (Judith V. Grabiner, BSHM Bulletin, Vol. 26, 2011)
Product dimensions: 6.20 (w) x 9.20 (h) x 1.20 (d)
Table of Contents
Translators’ Introduction.- Cauchy's Introduction.- Preliminaries.- First Part: Algebraic Analysis.- On Real Functions.- On Quantities that are Infinitely Small or Infinitely Large, and on the Continuity of Functions.- On Symmetric Functions and Alternating Functions.- Determination of Integer Functions.- Determination of continuous functions of a single variable that satisfy certain conditions.- On convergent and divergent (real) series.- On imaginary expressions and their moduli.- On imaginary functions and variables.- On convergent and divergent imaginary series.- On real or imaginary roots of algebraic equations for which the first member is a rational and integer of one variable.- Decomposition of rational fractions.- On recursive series.- Notes on Algebraic Analysis.- Bibliography.- Index.
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More About This Textbook
Overview
In 1821, Augustin-Louis Cauchy (1789-1857) published a textbook, the Cours d’analyse, to accompany his course in analysis at the Ecole Polytechnique. It is one of the most influential mathematics books ever written. Not only did Cauchy provide a workable definition of limits and a means to make them the basis of a rigorous theory of calculus, but he also revitalized the idea that all mathematics could be set on such rigorous foundations. Today, the quality of a work of mathematics is judged in part on the quality of its rigor, and this standard is largely due to the transformation brought about by Cauchy and the Cours d’analyse.
For this translation, the authors have also added commentary, notes, references, and an index.
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
From the reviews:
"The book under review comes equipped with a well-written Translator’s Preface, full of interesting and relevant historical data, placing Cauchy’s work in the present connection in the proper historical context. … Cauchy’s Cours d’analyse, An Annotated Translation is a major contribution to mathematical historical scholarship, and it is most welcome indeed to have occasion to examine the infancy of a part of modern analysis, to recognize familiar things in archaic and even arcane phrasings … and, through it all, to witness a grandmaster in action." (Michael Berg, The Mathematical Association of America, November, 2009)
“Bradley (Adelphi Univ.) and Sandifer (Western Connecticut State Univ.) have written an annotated, indexed translation of Cauchy’s classic textbook from 1821. The work’s most interested readers will probably be students and researchers of the history and philosophy of mathematics education, and education in general. … it will be valuable for specialized historical collections. Summing Up: Essential. … academic history of mathematics education and history of science collections, lower-division undergraduates and above.” (M. Bona, Choice, Vol. 47 (6), February, 2010)
“It covers real functions, continuity, simultaneous linear equations, interpolation by polynomials, special functional equations, convergent and divergent series, complex numbers, functions and series, the fundamental theorem of algebra, the numerical solution of equations and infinite products, among other things. The translators provide a preface, about 200 (mostly brief) footnotes and a bibliography of 64 items. … The footnotes and bibliography give, or lead to, useful information on historical questions.” (M. E. Muldoon, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2010 h)
“The majority of mathematical activity now takes place in English … so this translation is especially welcome. … It is a mathematical delight to read through this book. … Cauchy carefully built the subject up from the most elementary ideas in algebra and arithmetic. … Readers of this review should encourage their libraries to get this book, and anyone interested in the history of mathematical analysis will want to own a copy.” (Judith V. Grabiner, BSHM Bulletin, Vol. 26, 2011)
Product Details
Table of Contents
Translators’ Introduction.- Cauchy's Introduction.- Preliminaries.- First Part: Algebraic Analysis.- On Real Functions.- On Quantities that are Infinitely Small or Infinitely Large, and on the Continuity of Functions.- On Symmetric Functions and Alternating Functions.- Determination of Integer Functions.- Determination of continuous functions of a single variable that satisfy certain conditions.- On convergent and divergent (real) series.- On imaginary expressions and their moduli.- On imaginary functions and variables.- On convergent and divergent imaginary series.- On real or imaginary roots of algebraic equations for which the first member is a rational and integer of one variable.- Decomposition of rational fractions.- On recursive series.- Notes on Algebraic Analysis.- Bibliography.- Index.