Mathematical fallacies, flaws, and flimflam / Edward J. Barbeau, University of Toronto

Through hard experience mathematicians have learned to subject even the most 'evident' assertions to rigorous scrutiny, as intuition and facile reasoning can often be misleading. However, errors can slip past the most watchful eye, they are often subtle and difficult to detect; but when fo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Barbeau, Edward, 1938- (Author)
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Washington, DC : Mathematical Association of America, [2000]
Series:MAA spectrum.
Subjects:
Online Access:Click for online access
Description
Summary:Through hard experience mathematicians have learned to subject even the most 'evident' assertions to rigorous scrutiny, as intuition and facile reasoning can often be misleading. However, errors can slip past the most watchful eye, they are often subtle and difficult to detect; but when found they can teach us a lot and can present a real challenge to straighten out. This book collects together a mass of such errors, drawn from the work of students, textbooks, and the media, as well as from professional mathematicians themselves. Each of these items is carefully analysed and the source of the error is exposed. All serious students of mathematics will find this book both enlightening and entertaining.
Physical Description:1 online resource (xvi, 167 pages) : illustrations
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and indexes
ISBN:9781614445180
1614445184
Language:English.
Source of Description, Etc. Note:Description based on print version record