The Story of Proof

Logic and the History of Mathematics
How the concept of proof has enabled the creation of mathematical knowledge.

How the concept of proof has enabled the creation of mathematical knowledge

The Story of Proof investigates the evolution of the concept of proofone of the most significant and defining features of mathematical thoughtthrough critical episodes in its history. From the Pythagorean theorem to modern times, and across all major mathematical disciplines, John Stillwell demonstrates that proof is a mathematically vital concept, inspiring innovation and playing a critical role in generating knowledge.

Stillwell begins with Euclid and his influence on the development of geometry and its methods of proof, followed by algebra, which began as a self-contained discipline but later came to rival geometry in its mathematical impact. In particular, the infinite processes of calculus were at first v