Books Famous Scientists Studied From

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SUMMARY

This discussion highlights influential books studied by renowned scientists and mathematicians. Key figures include Srinivasa Ramanujan, who studied SL Loney's "Trigonometry" and GS Carr's "A Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics," and Richard Feynman, who learned calculus from J.E. Thompson's "Calculus For The Practical Man" and later Woods' "Advanced Calculus." Other notable mentions include SS Chern's study of Hall & Knight's "Higher Algebra" and the impact of E.T. Bell's "Men of Mathematics" on Freeman Dyson and John Forbes Nash.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with mathematical literature and its historical context
  • Understanding of basic calculus concepts
  • Knowledge of influential mathematicians and their contributions
  • Awareness of the evolution of mathematical education materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of E.T. Bell's "Men of Mathematics" on modern mathematical thought
  • Explore the content and significance of SL Loney's "Trigonometry"
  • Investigate the contributions of Richard Feynman to physics and mathematics
  • Examine the pedagogical approaches in J.E. Thompson's "Calculus For The Practical Man"
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and enthusiasts of mathematics and science, particularly those interested in the historical influences on prominent figures in these fields.

Humanlimits
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Hey, I haven't seen a thread on this topic, so I figured I should start it. Hopefully others can contribute!

Srinivasa Ramanujan - SL Loney, Trigonometry & GS Carr, A Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics
SS Chern - Hall & Knight, Higher Algebra
Bernard Riemann - Legendre's Number Theory Treatise

Freeman Dyson - Georg Joos, Theoretical Physics
Richard Feynman - S Thompson, Calculus Made Easy & Woods, Advanced Calculus
 
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Lars Onsager - Whittaker and Watson, A Course of Modern Analysis
 
Humanlimits said:
Richard Feynman - S Thompson, Calculus Made Easy & Woods, Advanced Calculus

In my original post, I made a mistake. I believe Feynman first learned calculus from J E Thompson, Calculus For The Practical Man, not S Thompson, Calculus Made Easy. He then moved onto Woods, Advanced Calculus.
 
Many folks were influenced by Lancelot Hogben's Mathematics for the Million: How to Master the Magic of Numbers (1936) book.

and some future mathematicians by Jan Gullberg's book: Mathematics from the Birth of Numbers

and when I was a kid the Instant Math book by the Cutler's on Trachtenberg Math system really got me fascinated with numbers. It was just magic.