Mathematical Treasure: Florian Cajori’s History of Mathematical Notations

Author(s):

Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University)

Florian Cajori’s two-volume A History of Mathematical Notations (1928–1929), although written almost a century ago, remains a classical reference and is still in print.

Title page from Florian Cajori’s two-volume A History of Mathematical Notations (1928–1929).

In his Preface, the author gives credit to several mathematicians who encouraged his career in the history of mathematics:

Preface from Florian Cajori’s two-volume A History of Mathematical Notations (1928–1929).

Some sample pages from this work:

Beginning of chapter 2 from Florian Cajori’s two-volume A History of Mathematical Notations (1928–1929).

Page 3 from Florian Cajori’s two-volume A History of Mathematical Notations (1928–1929).

Page 69 from Florian Cajori’s two-volume A History of Mathematical Notations (1928–1929).

A full digitization of its copy is available from Wellcome Library.

Index to Mathematical Treasures

Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University), "Mathematical Treasure: Florian Cajori’s History of Mathematical Notations," Convergence (July 2023)

Convergence

Tags:

History of Mathematics