eBook

Mathematical excursions to the world’s great buildings

Hahn, Alexander J

2012,2015

Overview

From the pyramids and the Parthenon to the Sydney Opera House and the Bilbao Guggenheim, this book takes readers on an eye-opening tour of the mathematics behind some of the world's most spectacular buildings. Beautifully illustrated, the book explores the milestones in elementary mathematics that enliven the understanding of these buildings and combines this with an in-depth look at their aesthetics, history, and structure. Whether using trigonometry and vectors to explain why Gothic arches are structurally superior to Roman arches, or showing how simple ruler and compass constructions can produce sophisticated architectural details, Alexander Hahn describes the points at which elementary mathematics and architecture intersect. Beginning in prehistoric times, Hahn proceeds to guide readers through the Greek, Roman, Islamic, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and modern styles. He explores the unique features of the Pantheon, the Hagia Sophia, the Great Mosque of Cordoba, the Duomo in Florence, Palladio's villas, and Saint Peter's Basilica, as well as the U.S. Capitol Building. Hahn celebrates the forms and structures of architecture made possible by mathematical achievements from Greek geometry, the Hindu-Arabic number system, two- and three-dimensional coordinate geometry, and calculus. Along the way, Hahn introduces groundbreaking architects, including Brunelleschi, Alberti, da Vinci, Bramante, Michelangelo, della Porta, Wren, Gaudí, Saarinen, Utzon, and Gehry. Rich in detail, this book takes readers on an expedition around the globe, providing a deeper understanding of the mathematical forces at play in the world's most elegant buildings.

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Subject: Abstract algebra / Algebra / Applied mathematics / Apse / Archaeology / Architectural design / Architecture / Architecture & Architectural History / Architecture -- Data processing / Architecture -- Mathematics / ARCHITECTURE / Buildings / General / Architecture and Architectural History / Basilica / Building material / Buildings / Buttress / Calculation / Cartesian coordinate system / Cast iron / Chartres Cathedral / Computer scientist / Conic section / Coordinate system / Data processing / De architectura / Diagram (category theory) / Diameter / Equilateral triangle / Euclidean geometry / Florence Cathedral / Foundations of mathematics / Function (mathematics) / Geodesic dome / Geometry / Golden rectangle / Gothic architecture / Grand Staircase / Great circle / Groin vault / History & Philosophy / Hyperbola / Icosahedron / International Style (architecture) / Masonry / Mathematical analysis / Mathematical problem / Mathematical proof / Mathematical sciences / Mathematical structure / Mathematician / MATHEMATICS / MATHEMATICS / General / MATHEMATICS / Geometry / General / MATHEMATICS / History & Philosophy / Mathematics and architecture / Monumental Church / Number line / Number theory / Parabola / PBM / PDZ / Principia Mathematica / Proportion (architecture) / Pure mathematics / Pythagorean theorem / Quadratic formula / Rational number / Real number / Rectangle / Renaissance architecture / Rib vault / Right triangle / Roman engineering / Sign (mathematics) / Spline (mathematics) / Structural engineering / Symmetry group / Technology / Theorem / Trigonometry / Unit of length / Variable (mathematics) / Vault (architecture) / Vitruvius / Voussoir
• ISBN: 0691145202, 9780691145204, 1400841992, 9781400841998