The Unfinished Game Pascal, Fermat, and the Seventeenth-Century Letter that Made the World Modern
Synopsis
In the early seventeenth century, the outcome of something as simple as a dice roll was consigned to the realm of unknowable chance. Mathematicians largely agreed that it was impossible to predict the probability of an occurrence. Then, in 1654, Blaise Pascal wrote to Pierre de Fermat explaining that he had discovered how to calculate risk. The two collaborated to develop what is now known as probability theorya concept that allows us to think rationally about decisions and events.In The Unfinished Game, Keith Devlin masterfully chronicles Pascal and Fermat's mathematical breakthrough, connecting a centuries-old discovery with its remarkable impact on the modern world.Book details
- Series:
- Basic Ideas Ser.
- Author:
- Keith Devlin
- ISBN:
- 9780786726325
- Related ISBNs:
- 9780465018963, 9780786726325
- Publisher:
- Basic Books
- Pages:
- 304
- Reading age:
- 13+
- Grades:
- Eighth grade, Ninth grade, Tenth grade, Eleventh grade, Twelfth grade, College Freshman, College Sophomore, College Junior, College Senior, Graduate Student, Undergraduate Student
- Includes images:
- Yes
- Date of addition:
- 2021-07-27
- Usage restrictions:
- Copyright
- Copyright date:
- 2008
- Copyright by:
- Keith Devlin
- Adult content:
- No
- Language:
- English
- Categories:
- History, Mathematics and Statistics, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Science