Magnificent Mistakes in Mathematics

by Ingmar Lehmann, Alfred S. Posamentier, Ignmar Lehmann, et al.

Book Overview

In the nineteenth century, English mathematician William Shanks spent fifteen years calculating the value of pi, setting a record for the number of decimal places. Later, his calculation was reproduced using large wooden numerals to decorate the cupola of a hall in the Palais de la D couverte in Paris. However, in 1946, with the aid of a mechanical desk calculator that ran for seventy hours, it was discovered that there was a mistake in the 528th...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1616147474
• ISBN13: 9781616147471
• Release Date: August 2013
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"