Described even today as "unsurpassed," this history of mathematical
notation stretching back to the Babylonians and Egyptians is one of the
most comprehensive written. In two impressive volumes-first published in
1928-9-distinguished mathematician Florian Cajori shows the origin,
evolution, and dissemination of each symbol and the competition it faced
in its rise to popularity or fall into obscurity. Illustrated with more
than a hundred diagrams and figures, this "mirror of past and present
conditions in mathematics" will give students and historians a whole new
appreciation for "1 + 1 = 2." Swiss-American author, educator, and
mathematician FLORIAN CAJORI (1859-1930) was one of the world's most
distinguished mathematical historians. Appointed to a specially created
chair in the history of mathematics at the University of California,
Berkeley, he also wrote An Introduction to the Theory of Equations, A
History of Elementary Mathematics, and The Chequered Career of Ferdinand
Rudolph Hassler.