A glorified geometry with superimposed computational torture

March 24, 2010 5:22 PM

Trigonometric Delights. This book is neither a textbook of trigonometry—of which there are many—nor a comprehensive history of the subject, of which there is almost none. It is an attempt to present selected topics in trigonometry from a historic point of view and to show their relevance to other sciences. It grew out of my love affair with the subject, but also out of my frustration at the way it is being taught in our colleges.
posted by Wolfdog (18 comments total)

Looks like an interesting angle on the subject.
posted by fantabulous timewaster at 5:25 PM on March 24, 2010 [3 favorites]

Does he mention how the new US healthcare bill increases the value of tan(x) by 10%?
posted by GuyZero at 5:27 PM on March 24, 2010 [2 favorites]

Wow, this looks really interesting. I can't read heavy text on the computer, but I'm definitely going to put this on my "find it on paper somewhere" list.
posted by DU at 5:33 PM on March 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

Interesting stuff. I particularly liked the chapter on Viete, which actually does him justice as the innovator who did away with the older (and in my opinion superior) way of doing mathematics. I disagree with the modern method, but I'm interested in checking this out; thanks.
posted by koeselitz at 6:30 PM on March 24, 2010

Great selection of topics, but the historical approach leads him off on too many tangents.
posted by googly at 6:47 PM on March 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

See also This trigonometry themed music video
posted by delmoi at 7:11 PM on March 24, 2010

I thought Trig was a high school course.
posted by readyfreddy at 7:42 PM on March 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

It's a good thing those cuneiform tablets weren't discovered in a shipwreck. Desert sand can preserve the trig tables clearly over millenia. But secant.
posted by condour75 at 7:44 PM on March 24, 2010 [8 favorites]

Added to my reading list, which is starting to exceed my remaining life expectancy. curse you, MetaFilter!

On the bright side, though, after I read this book I'll probably how to calculate where exactly those curves intersect.
posted by Quietgal at 8:38 PM on March 24, 2010

A love of trigonometry invariably leads to sin.
posted by twoleftfeet at 9:18 PM on March 24, 2010 [9 favorites]

I thought Trig was a high school course.

Or Sarah Palin's kid.
posted by twoleftfeet at 9:20 PM on March 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

the older (and in my opinion superior) way of doing mathematics. I disagree with the modern method

I have an impression of what "older" and "modern" mathematics are and I have a preference as well, but I'm not sure it's really founded on anything and in any case probably doesn't line up with you. So: what are you talking about?
posted by DU at 2:55 AM on March 25, 2010

Just cos.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 5:40 AM on March 25, 2010

But.... isn't the title an oxymoron?

(It is for me anyway....)
posted by Doohickie at 7:08 AM on March 25, 2010

It's a good thing those cuneiform tablets weren't discovered in a shipwreck.

It's a good thing he didn't stub his toe while writing this and accidentally replace his soothing bath salts with hydrochloric acid. 'Cause then he'd be all, like, "Soak a toe! AAAAH!"

/terrible
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 7:33 AM on March 25, 2010 [1 favorite]

/terrible

Disrespectful of a revered indigenous leader, more like.

Insensitive clod!
posted by everichon at 8:15 AM on March 25, 2010

The book looks fantastic; I will have to employ some hardcore Taoist hoppitamoppita to make a spectral self with time to read it.
posted by everichon at 8:24 AM on March 25, 2010

one of his other books e: the story of a number is also truly excellent. and was one of the book that really got my juices flowing about math, not just as a tool, but as an enterprise in it self.
posted by Dr. Twist at 9:57 AM on March 25, 2010