LIBERO WebOPAC Catalogue Display (W561)

Catalogue Information
Field name	Details
Dewey Class	510.9
Title	Why Prove it Again? ([EBook]) : Alternative Proofs in Mathematical Practice / / by John W. Dawson, Jr.
Author	Dawson, Jr., John W.
Other name(s)	SpringerLink (Online service)
Publication	Cham : : Springer International Publishing : : Imprint: Birkhäuser, , 2015.
Physical Details	XI, 204 p. 54 illus. : online resource.
ISBN	9783319173689
Summary Note	This monograph considers several well-known mathematical theorems and asks the question, “Why prove it again?” while examining alternative proofs. It explores the different rationales mathematicians may have for pursuing and presenting new proofs of previously established results, as well as how they judge whether two proofs of a given result are different. While a number of books have examined alternative proofs of individual theorems, this is the first that presents comparative case studies of other methods for a variety of different theorems. The author begins by laying out the criteria for distinguishing among proofs and enumerates reasons why new proofs have, for so long, played a prominent role in mathematical practice. He then outlines various purposes that alternative proofs may serve. Each chapter that follows provides a detailed case study of alternative proofs for particular theorems, including the Pythagorean Theorem, the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, Desargues’ Theorem, the Prime Number Theorem, and the proof of the irreducibility of cyclotomic polynomials. Why Prove It Again? will appeal to a broad range of readers, including historians and philosophers of mathematics, students, and practicing mathematicians. Additionally, teachers will find it to be a useful source of alternative methods of presenting material to their students.:
Contents note	Proofs in Mathematical Practice -- Motives for Finding Alternative Proofs -- Sums of Integers -- Quadratic Surds -- The Pythagorean Theorem -- The Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic -- The Infinitude of the Primes -- The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra -- Desargues's Theorem -- The Prime Number Theorem -- The Irreducibility of the Cyclotomic Polynomials -- The Compactness of First-Order Languages -- Other Case Studies.
System details note	Online access to this digital book is restricted to subscription institutions through IP address (only for SISSA internal users).
Internet Site	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17368-9
Links to Related Works	Subject References: Algebra . Analysis . Analysis (Mathematics) . Geometry . History . History of Mathematical Sciences . Mathematical analysis . Mathematics . Topology . Authors: Dawson, Jr., John W. . Corporate Authors: SpringerLink (Online service) . Classification: 510.9 .

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Why Prove it Again? Alternative Proofs in Mathematical Practice /

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