Ian Stewart The Great Mathematical Problems (used, good condition)

There are some mathematical problems whose significance goes beyond ordinary - like Fermats Last Theorem - they are enigmas which define mathematics. This book explains why these problems exist, why they matter, what drives mathematicians to incredible lengths to solve them and where they stand in context of mathematics and science as a whole.

Ian Stewart reveals the really big questions that take us to thelimits of mathematics. There are some mathematical problems whosesignificance goes beyond the ordinary - like Fermats Last Theoremor Goldbachs Conjecture - they are the enigmas which definemathematics. "The Great Mathematical Problems" explains why theseproblems exist, why they matter, what drives mathematicians toincredible lengths to solve them and where they stand in thecontext of mathematics and science as a whole. It contains solvedproblems - like the Poincare Conjecture, cracked by the eccentricgenius Grigori Perelman, who refused academic honours and amillion-dollar prize for his work, and ones which, like the RiemannHypothesis, remain baffling after centuries. Stewart is the guideto this mysterious and exciting world, showing how modernmathematicians constantly rise to the challenges set by theirpredecessors, as the great mathematical problems of the pastsuccumb to the new techniques and ideas of the present.