Mathematical Cranks
Mathematical Cranks by Underwood Dudley, published by Cambridge University Press in 1992, offers a fascinating exploration of individuals who assert they have accomplished the mathematically impossible. This 372-page book presents a collection of articles that delve into the eccentricities of those who believe they have solved complex mathematical problems, such as squaring the circle or duplicating the cube, as well as those who hold unconventional views on mathematics and its applications.
Readers will encounter a variety of intriguing characters, from those who mistakenly claim to have proven Fermat’s Last Theorem to individuals who attribute unusual significance to numbers, such as the belief that the American Revolution was governed by the number 57. The book captures a range of eccentric mathematical perspectives, some mild and others quite bizarre, all conveyed with wit and style. This edition serves as a unique contribution to the field of folk mathematics, inviting readers to reflect on the peculiarities of mathematical thought.
Official synopsis Publisher
A delightful collection of articles about people who claim they have achieved the mathematically impossible (squaring the circle, duplicating the cube); people who think they have done something they have not (proving Fermat’s Last Theorem); people who pray in matrices; people who find the American Revolution ruled by the number 57; people who have in common eccentric mathematical views, some mild (thinking we should count by 12s instead of 10s), some bizarre (thinking that second-order differential equations will solve all problems of economics, politics and philosophy). This is a truly unique book. It is written with wit and style and is a part of folk mathematics.
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