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Hilbert Constance Reid
Hilbert Constance Reid Hilbert c COPERNICUS AN IMPRINT OF SPRINGER-VERLAG © 1996 Springer Science+Business Media New York Originally published by Springer-Verlag New York, Inc in 1996 All rights reserved. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Library ofCongress Cataloging·in-Publication Data Reid, Constance. Hilbert/Constance Reid. p. Ctn. Originally published: Berlin; New York: Springer-Verlag, 1970. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-387-94674-0 ISBN 978-1-4612-0739-9 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-4612-0739-9 I. Hilbert, David, 1862-1943. 2. Mathematicians-Germany Biography. 1. Title. QA29.HsR4 1996 SIO'.92-dc20 [B] 96-33753 Manufactured in the United States of America. Printed on acid-free paper. 9 8 7 6 543 2 1 ISBN 978-0-387-94674-0 SPIN 10524543 Questions upon Rereading Hilbert By 1965 I had written several popular books, such as From liro to Infinity and A Long Way from Euclid, in which I had attempted to explain certain easily grasped, although often quite sophisticated, mathematical ideas for readers very much like myself-interested in mathematics but essentially untrained. At this point, with almost no mathematical training and never having done any bio graphical writing, I became determined to write the life of David Hilbert, whom many considered the profoundest mathematician of the early part of the 20th century. Now, thirty years later, rereading Hilbert, certain questions come to my mind. -
Constance Reid
Constance Reid John Ewing, former director of the American Mathematical Society, says this of Constance Reid: “ She has a special talent for understanding mathematicians and their culture. She understands us. She is the Boswell for mathematics – a biographer who has made the mathematical life understandable to the general public and to mathematicians themselves. Her work has enriched our profession.” The “autobiography” of her sister Julia Robinson has been a source of inspiration for many young women contemplating careers in mathematics, and her biography of David Hilbert stands as one of the best mathematical biographies ever written. It is no exaggeration to say that publication of Hilbert made her a star among mathematical biographers. Her five lively and penetrating biographies of mathematicians have been highly praised and constitute a great contribution to the world of mathematics. She has set a high standard for future biographers. We are proud that she was a member of our section. Although the formal mathematical education of Constance Reid concluded with high school algebra and geometry, she was able to understand mathematical ideas well enough to write three best - selling popularizations of mathematics: From Zero to Infinity (1955), Introduction to Higher Mathematics (1959), and A Long Way From Euclid (1963). Several mathematicians have commented on the influence of From Zero to Infinity on their development. Her writing ability was early demonstrated in her book Slacks and Calluses(1944), an account of her working for a summer on a bomber factory assembly line in World War II. At the time she was a high school English teacher in San Diego and only twenty - six. -
Egyptian Mathematics
Egyptian Mathematics Dr. Carmen Bruni David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science University of Waterloo November 1st, 2017 Three Part Series • Egyptian Mathematics • Diophantus and Alexandria • Tartaglia, Cardano and the Renaissance Age Egypt and Babylon Egypt circa 1500 BCE • Egyptian civilization established on the shores of the Nile about 5000 years ago • The yearly flood of the Nile brings sediments and nutriments that enriched the surrounding soils in the valley • The Nile becomes a method of transportation for both material and people and with the flood allowing for crops to grow, Egypt becomes a self-sufficient country (unlike other civilizations) Papyrus • Egyptians were the first known source of papyrus, a writing surface made from the pith (tissue in the stems) of a papyrus plant. • A lot of what we know from Egyptian mathematics originates from papyri. • We will be discussing content from two main papyri: the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus and the Moscow Mathematical Papyrus. Rhind Papyrus Written by the scribe Ahmes (also known as Ahmose or A'hmos`e). (Source: Wikimedia Commons) Moscow Papyrus (Source: Wikimedia Commons) Mathematics Arising Out of Necessity For Egyptians, mathematics was used as a tool to solve many of the problems they encountered. • Areas • Taxes • Calendars • Food • Volumes Areas Common units of measurement: • Cubit: length from the tip of the middle finger to the bottom of the elbow. Approximately 52cm. • Khet: 100 cubits • Setat/Arura/Aroura: A square khet. (About 2.7 square km or 2=3 of an acre). • Digit, palm, hand, fist: Other smaller units of measurement. This allowed them to give parcels of land to people and to keep track of these lands for taxes. -
The Space Race Continues
The Space Race Continues The Evolution of Space Tourism from Novelty to Opportunity Matthew D. Melville, Vice President Shira Amrany, Consulting and Valuation Analyst HVS GLOBAL HOSPITALITY SERVICES 369 Willis Avenue Mineola, NY 11501 USA Tel: +1 516 248-8828 Fax: +1 516 742-3059 June 2009 NORTH AMERICA - Atlanta | Boston | Boulder | Chicago | Dallas | Denver | Mexico City | Miami | New York | Newport, RI | San Francisco | Toronto | Vancouver | Washington, D.C. | EUROPE - Athens | London | Madrid | Moscow | ASIA - 1 Beijing | Hong Kong | Mumbai | New Delhi | Shanghai | Singapore | SOUTH AMERICA - Buenos Aires | São Paulo | MIDDLE EAST - Dubai HVS Global Hospitality Services The Space Race Continues At a space business forum in June 2008, Dr. George C. Nield, Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), addressed the future of commercial space travel: “There is tangible work underway by a number of companies aiming for space, partly because of their dreams, but primarily because they are confident it can be done by the private sector and it can be done at a profit.” Indeed, private companies and entrepreneurs are currently aiming to make this dream a reality. While the current economic downturn will likely slow industry progress, space tourism, currently in its infancy, is poised to become a significant part of the hospitality industry. Unlike the space race of the 1950s and 1960s between the United States and the former Soviet Union, the current rivalry is not defined on a national level, but by a collection of first-mover entrepreneurs that are working to define the industry and position it for long- term profitability. -
Women's History Magazine Broadly As Possible
Women’s History Magazine Issue 48, AUTUMN 2004 Issn 1476-6760 Themed Issue: Science, Technology and Education Maria Rentetzi on The Case of the Radium Dial Painters Claire Jones on Grace Chisholm Young in Turn-of-Nineteenth-Century Germany Joyce Goodman on Technical Education, Female Emigration and Nation Building Hull 2004 Conference Report Launch of new WHN Book Prize Clare Evans Prize — Report on 2004 Award and Hypatia Announcement of of Alexandria 2005 Competition c. 370 - 415 Conference 2005 — Mathematician philosopher, Call for Papers teacher and inventor of mechanical devices. th 14 Conference of the Women’s History Network Women, Art and Culture: Historical Perspectives September 2nd- 4th 2005, Southampton Southampton Institute, Sir James Matthews Conference Centre, Southampton, Hants. Papers are welcomed on the following themes: Women and the visual arts; painting, sculpture, architecture, and the decorative arts. Women and the Arts and Crafts Movement/Home Decorating. Women and the performing arts. Women and the literary arts. Women as art objects/images of women. Women as mediators of culture. Women as collectors and benefactors. Plenary Speakers: Frances Borzello on 'Women Artists: Self Portraits' Marina Vaizey on '20th Century Women Collectors' Speakers, papers and a provisional programme will be posted at www.womenshistorynetwork.org as soon as they become available. Papers will be considered for special issues of: Women’s History Magazine & Women’s History Review. Abstracts of 200-300 words should be sent by 30/03/05 to: Dr Anne Anderson, FMAS, Southampton Institute, Southampton, S014 ORF. [email protected] Administrator: Dr. Joyce A. Walker (Women’s History Network) , Department of History, University of Aberdeen, Crombie Annexe, Meston Walk, Old Aberdeen, AB24 3FX E-mail: [email protected] The arrival of this Autumn's Women's History Magazine broadly as possible. -
Constance Reid (1918–2010)
Remembering Constance Reid (1918–2010) Gerald L. Alexanderson Constance Reid will be remembered in mathemat- She was fond of telling at mathematics meet- ics for many years to come. She was not a math- ings of her experience when she approached her ematician, though she had close ties to important publisher with the proposal to write a biography mathematicians, but what she did for mathemat- of the most eminent early-twentieth-century math- ics may have more influence than the research of ematician, David Hilbert. His response was that the many professionals in the field. She would have a only thing that would sell worse than the biography place in history if she had done nothing more than of a mathematician would be a book about South write her biography of David Hilbert. America! But she persisted and found a publisher, Prior to Constance’s ap- Springer. It appeared in 1970 and was an instant pearing on the mathemati- classic, a book for the ages. Beautifully written cal scene, there was rather and carefully researched—she discovered Hilbert’s little to read in mathematics, papers in Göttingen uncatalogued in boxes at the at least in English, beyond Mathematical Institute, thus quite possibly saving textbooks and monographs. them from loss—her book was a sensation and re- Students wishing to learn sulted in many invitations to speak at regional and of the culture of mathemat- national meetings. Her earlier publisher probably ics or amateurs who loved came to regret his quick dismissal of Constance’s mathematics could go to proposal. Times have changed. -
Herbert Busemann (1905--1994)
HERBERT BUSEMANN (1905–1994) A BIOGRAPHY FOR HIS SELECTED WORKS EDITION ATHANASE PAPADOPOULOS Herbert Busemann1 was born in Berlin on May 12, 1905 and he died in Santa Ynez, County of Santa Barbara (California) on February 3, 1994, where he used to live. His first paper was published in 1930, and his last one in 1993. He wrote six books, two of which were translated into Russian in the 1960s. Initially, Busemann was not destined for a mathematical career. His father was a very successful businessman who wanted his son to be- come, like him, a businessman. Thus, the young Herbert, after high school (in Frankfurt and Essen), spent two and a half years in business. Several years later, Busemann recalls that he always wanted to study mathematics and describes this period as “two and a half lost years of my life.” Busemann started university in 1925, at the age of 20. Between the years 1925 and 1930, he studied in Munich (one semester in the aca- demic year 1925/26), Paris (the academic year 1927/28) and G¨ottingen (one semester in 1925/26, and the years 1928/1930). He also made two 1Most of the information about Busemann is extracted from the following sources: (1) An interview with Constance Reid, presumably made on April 22, 1973 and kept at the library of the G¨ottingen University. (2) Other documents held at the G¨ottingen University Library, published in Vol- ume II of the present edition of Busemann’s Selected Works. (3) Busemann’s correspondence with Richard Courant which is kept at the Archives of New York University. -
Iasinstitute for Advanced Study
IAInsti tSute for Advanced Study Faculty and Members 2012–2013 Contents Mission and History . 2 School of Historical Studies . 4 School of Mathematics . 21 School of Natural Sciences . 45 School of Social Science . 62 Program in Interdisciplinary Studies . 72 Director’s Visitors . 74 Artist-in-Residence Program . 75 Trustees and Officers of the Board and of the Corporation . 76 Administration . 78 Past Directors and Faculty . 80 Inde x . 81 Information contained herein is current as of September 24, 2012. Mission and History The Institute for Advanced Study is one of the world’s leading centers for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry. The Institute exists to encourage and support fundamental research in the sciences and human - ities—the original, often speculative thinking that produces advances in knowledge that change the way we understand the world. It provides for the mentoring of scholars by Faculty, and it offers all who work there the freedom to undertake research that will make significant contributions in any of the broad range of fields in the sciences and humanities studied at the Institute. Y R Founded in 1930 by Louis Bamberger and his sister Caroline Bamberger O Fuld, the Institute was established through the vision of founding T S Director Abraham Flexner. Past Faculty have included Albert Einstein, I H who arrived in 1933 and remained at the Institute until his death in 1955, and other distinguished scientists and scholars such as Kurt Gödel, George F. D N Kennan, Erwin Panofsky, Homer A. Thompson, John von Neumann, and A Hermann Weyl. N O Abraham Flexner was succeeded as Director in 1939 by Frank Aydelotte, I S followed by J. -
Planetary Resources Team
Planetary Resources Team Eric Anderson, Co-Founder & Co-Chairman Mr. Eric Anderson is an entrepreneur and aerospace engineer who has pioneered the creation of the commercial human spaceflight industry since its inception. He is involved in a portfolio of innovative technology and spaceflight companies, including Intentional Software Corporation, Space Adventures, Ltd., and Planetary Power, Inc. Anderson is the CEO of Intentional, whose unique technology enables the creation of software without writing code. As Space Adventures’ Co-Founder and Chairman, Anderson has sold nearly half a billion dollars in spaceflight missions, including all of the self-funded private citizens to have visited the International Space Station (such as Dennis Tito, Anousheh Ansari, Charles Simonyi and Richard Garriott). He is also the Co-Founder and Chairman of Planetary Power, a renewable energy company. Anderson graduated magna cum laude from the University of Virginia with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. In 2008, he received SmartCEO magazine’s CEO of the Year Award and was chosen by the World Economic Forum (Davos) to join the Forum of Young Global Leaders. In 2010, he was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year honor. He serves on the Board of the X PRIZE Foundation and the Planetary Security Foundation, and as Chairman of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. His mission is to open the frontiers of space to humanity and enable access to space resources to fuel our future on Earth and beyond. To learn more about Eric, please visit www.ecanderson.com. Peter H. Diamandis, M.D., Co-Founder & Co-Chairman Dr. Peter H. Diamandis is an international pioneer in the commercial space arena, having founded and run many of the leading entrepreneurial companies in the sector. -
FOCUS August/September 2005
FOCUS August/September 2005 FOCUS is published by the Mathematical Association of America in January, February, March, April, May/June, FOCUS August/September, October, November, and Volume 25 Issue 6 December. Editor: Fernando Gouvêa, Colby College; [email protected] Inside Managing Editor: Carol Baxter, MAA 4 Saunders Mac Lane, 1909-2005 [email protected] By John MacDonald Senior Writer: Harry Waldman, MAA [email protected] 5 Encountering Saunders Mac Lane By David Eisenbud Please address advertising inquiries to: Rebecca Hall [email protected] 8George B. Dantzig 1914–2005 President: Carl C. Cowen By Don Albers First Vice-President: Barbara T. Faires, 11 Convergence: Mathematics, History, and Teaching Second Vice-President: Jean Bee Chan, An Invitation and Call for Papers Secretary: Martha J. Siegel, Associate By Victor Katz Secretary: James J. Tattersall, Treasurer: John W. Kenelly 12 What I Learned From…Project NExT By Dave Perkins Executive Director: Tina H. Straley 14 The Preparation of Mathematics Teachers: A British View Part II Associate Executive Director and Director By Peter Ruane of Publications: Donald J. Albers FOCUS Editorial Board: Rob Bradley; J. 18 So You Want to be a Teacher Kevin Colligan; Sharon Cutler Ross; Joe By Jacqueline Brennon Giles Gallian; Jackie Giles; Maeve McCarthy; Colm 19 U.S.A. Mathematical Olympiad Winners Honored Mulcahy; Peter Renz; Annie Selden; Hortensia Soto-Johnson; Ravi Vakil. 20 Math Youth Days at the Ballpark Letters to the editor should be addressed to By Gene Abrams Fernando Gouvêa, Colby College, Dept. of 22 The Fundamental Theorem of ________________ Mathematics, Waterville, ME 04901, or by email to [email protected]. -
When Reality Meets Fiction
Team Unit 3 Team B Space tourism When reality meets fiction EXPERIENCES NEWS BLOG GALLERY ABOUT US CONTACT challenge SPACE TRAVEL – THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE 1 1 Get ready Learn about NASA and space conquest. ➜ W B P. 24-25 Looking for a vacation that costs up to $50 million? It’s no luxury resort, but traveling to space can be the ultimate adventure! It’s very exclusive2 – fewer than 550 people have ever been there, only eight of them 2 Discover your challenge paying tourists. The only way3 to buy a trip to the Join your team: Take part in a space camp conference about “Life in Space”. stars is through Space Adventures, a Virginia-based a. Get information about one of these space topics. company. Clients have included billionaire Cirque du Soleil cofounder Guy Laliberte, British-American game b. Roleplay: Give your presentation and answer the audience’s questions. designer Richard Garriott and South-African software millionaire Mark Shuttleworth. “An experience 3 Have your say Charles Simonyi is the only tourist who’s gone twice. He few to the ISS in 2007 and 2009, paying a total like that c. Do you find life in space fascinating? Would you like to be part of the of around $60 million. He spent 12 days on the ISS, changes your space conquest adventures? Explain why. taking part in medical experiments. Of course, he spent a lot of time gazing out4 at the globe. perspective on “It’s the speed that’s the most amazing. Every 90 life and on the Team A The International Space Station minutes, you see spring, you see fall5, you see the world.” Arctic, you see the tropics, you see night, you see day,” HOME ARCHIVE LAUNCH CALENDAR he said. -
Soyuz Flights to the International Space Station
Soyuz Flights to the International Space Station John Macco - SU 1457 / Jim Roth - SU 4694 The International Space Station has been in space since the first element was launched on November 20, 1988. With the launch of Soyuz TM-31 and the Expedition-1 crew on October 31, 2000, the ISS has been continuously manned. Their main work was to activate the critical life sup- port systems and conduct the first scientific work onboard the space station. The Expe- dition-1 crew consisted of Yuri Gidzenko, Sergei Krikalev and Bill Shep- et – this cover has been numbered 307, herd. After four and a half months, they out of an unknown quantity. The multi- returned to Earth with the STS-102 crew colored cachet notes the mission’s goal and landed at the Kennedy Space Cen- of the ISS, but fails to mention that it is ter on March 21, 2001. The Soyuz TM-31 the first Expedition to go up, but the red spacecraft remained docked to the ISS to rubber stamp depicts the Soyuz docking act as a rescue vehicle. with the fledgling ISS with the text “First There are four distinct postmarks on expedition on ISS / Russia - 2000 - USA”. this Soyuz TM-31 launch cover (above), The space-themed Kazakhstan stamp (s. all dated on October 31, 2000 with the 261) of 30 tenge, depicts a communica- imprimatur of “Mail of Russia” at the top tion satellite above a receiver dish. and “Kazakhstan, Baikonur” spelled two ways in each hub. One cancel depicts the The second Soyuz flight to the ISS was Soyuz rocket while another has the space- the Taxi-1/Mission-2S/Soyuz TM-32 space- craft in orbit above the planet.