Mathematical Excursions to the World's Great Buildings (eBook)

Alexander J. Hahn (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF

2012
336 Seiten
Princeton University Press (Verlag)
978-1-4008-4199-8 (ISBN)

Infos

Alexander J. Hahn is professor of mathematics at the University of Notre Dame. His books include Basic Calculus: From Archimedes to Newton to Its Role in Science.

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How mathematics helped build the world's most important buildings from early Egypt to the presentFrom the pyramids and the Parthenon to the Sydney Opera House and the Bilbao Guggenheim, this book takes readers on an eye-opening tour of the mathematics behind some of the world's most spectacular buildings. Beautifully illustrated, the book explores the milestones in elementary mathematics that enliven the understanding of these buildings and combines this with an in-depth look at their aesthetics, history, and structure. Whether using trigonometry and vectors to explain why Gothic arches are structurally superior to Roman arches, or showing how simple ruler and compass constructions can produce sophisticated architectural details, Alexander Hahn describes the points at which elementary mathematics and architecture intersect.Beginning in prehistoric times, Hahn proceeds to guide readers through the Greek, Roman, Islamic, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and modern styles. He explores the unique features of the Pantheon, the Hagia Sophia, the Great Mosque of Cordoba, the Duomo in Florence, Palladio's villas, and Saint Peter's Basilica, as well as the U.S. Capitol Building. Hahn celebrates the forms and structures of architecture made possible by mathematical achievements from Greek geometry, the Hindu-Arabic number system, two- and three-dimensional coordinate geometry, and calculus. Along the way, Hahn introduces groundbreaking architects, including Brunelleschi, Alberti, da Vinci, Bramante, Michelangelo, della Porta, Wren, Gaudi, Saarinen, Utzon, and Gehry.Rich in detail, this book takes readers on an expedition around the globe, providing a deeper understanding of the mathematical forces at play in the world's most elegant buildings.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 22.7.2012
• Zusatzinfo: 16 color illus. 111 halftones. 233 line illus. 2 tables.
• Verlagsort: Princeton
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Mathematik / Informatik ► Mathematik ► Allgemeines / Lexika
• Themenwelt: Mathematik / Informatik ► Mathematik ► Geometrie / Topologie
• Themenwelt: Mathematik / Informatik ► Mathematik ► Geschichte der Mathematik
• Themenwelt: Mathematik / Informatik ► Mathematik ► Mathematische Spiele und Unterhaltung
• Themenwelt: Technik ► Architektur
• Themenwelt: Wirtschaft
• Schlagworte: abstract algebra • Algebra • Applied mathematics • Apse • Arc (geometry) • archaeology • architectural drawing • architectural historian • Architecture of Rome • arithmetic • arithmetic mean • Basilica • Building Material • buttress • Calculation • Cartesian coordinate system • cast iron • center of mass • Chartres Cathedral • Computation • Computer Scientist • conic section • coordinate system • Cubic foot • De Architectura • Diagram (category theory) • DIAMETER • Differential Calculus • dodecahedron • Egyptian Obelisk • Elementary mathematics • Engineering • equilateral triangle • Euclidean Geometry • Florence Cathedral • Foundations of mathematics • Function (mathematics) • Geodesic dome • Geometry • golden rectangle • Gothic architecture • Grand Staircase • Great Circle • Greek architecture • Groin vault • Group (mathematics) • Hyperbola • icosahedron • Industrial Revolution • International Style (architecture) • Line–line intersection • Masonry • Mathematical Analysis • Mathematical problem • Mathematical Proof • Mathematical Sciences • mathematical structure • mathematician • Mathematics • Mathematics and Architecture • Megalith • Monumental Church • number line • Number Theory • Pantheon, Rome • Parabola • Permutation • Pilaster • Prime number • Principia Mathematica • Proportion (architecture) • Pure Mathematics • Pythagorean Theorem • Quadratic formula • Rational number • real number • rectangle • regular polygon • Renaissance architecture • resultant • Rib vault • Right triangle • Roman concrete • Roman engineering • Romanesque Architecture • Sign (mathematics) • Spline (mathematics) • Statue of Freedom • Structural engineering • Symmetry group • Technology • Theorem • Three-dimensional space (mathematics) • Trigonometric Functions • Trigonometry • Unit of length • Variable (mathematics) • Vault (architecture) • Vitruvius • Voussoir
• ISBN-10: 1-4008-4199-2 / 1400841992
• ISBN-13: 978-1-4008-4199-8 / 9781400841998