文档介绍：THE HISTORY OF
mathematics and
the laws of nature
developing the language of science
John Tabak, .
MATHEMATICS AND THE LAWS OF NATURE: Developing the Language
of Science
Copyright © 2004 by John Tabak, .
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Tabak, John.
Mathematics and the laws of nature: developing the language of science / John Tabak.
p. cm. —(History of mathematics)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8160-4957-2 (acid-free paper)
1. Mathematics—History. 2. Science—History. I. Title.
2004
510'.9—dc222003016961
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Text design by David Strelecky
Cover design by Kelly Parr
Illustrations by Patricia Meschino
Printed in the United States of America
MP FOF 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction: Natural Laws xi
1 Nature as Geometry 1
The Ancient Sky 2
Recording the Stars to Predict the Future 6
The Astronomical Calculations 9
The Tablets 12
2 Mathematics and Science in Ancient Greece 15
Ratios and the Measure of the Universe 15
A Geometry of the Universe 22
A Rotating Earth 27
Archimedes: Fusing Physics with Mathematics 28
The Law of the Lever 32
Archimedes’ Measurement of a Circle 34
The Siege of Syracus