A History of Mathematical Notations

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."