Hermann Grassmann

In 1844, the Prussian schoolmaster Hermann Grassmann (1809–77) published Die Lineale Ausdehnungslehre (also reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection). This revolutionary work anticipated the modern theory of vector spaces and exterior algebras. It was little understood at the time and the few sympathetic mathematicians, rather than trying harder to comprehend it, urged Grassmann to write an extended version of his theories. The present work is that version, first published in 1862. However, this also proved too far ahead of its time and Grassmann turned to historical linguistics, in which field his contributions are still remembered. His mathematical work eventually found champions such as Hankel, Peano, Whitehead and Élie Cartan, and it is now recognised for the brilliant achievement that it was in the history of mathematics.

"The Ausdehnungslehre" of 1862 is Grassmann's most mature presentation of his 'extension theory'. The work was unique in capturing the full sweep of his mathematical achievements. Compared to Grassmann's first book, "Lineale Ausdehnungslehre", this book contains an enormous amount of new material, including a detailed development of the inner product and its relation to the concept of angle, the 'theory of functions' from the point of view of extension theory, and Grassmann's contribution to the Pfaff problem.In many ways, this book is the version of Grassmann's system most accessible to contemporary readers. This translation is based on the material in Grassmann's "Gesammelte Werke", published by B.G. Teubner (Stuttgart and Leipzig, Germany). It includes nearly all the Editorial Notes from that edition, but the 'improved' proofs are relocated, and Grassmann's original proofs are restored to their proper places. The original Editorial Notes are augmented by Supplementary Notes, elucidating Grassmann's achievement in modern terms. This volume is one of an informal sequence of works within the "History of Mathematics" series.Volumes in this subset, 'Sources', are classical mathematical works that served as cornerstones for modern mathematical thought.

Dieser Buchtitel ist Teil des Digitalisierungsprojekts Springer Book Archives mit Publikationen, die seit den Anfängen des Verlags von 1842 erschienen sind. Der Verlag stellt mit diesem Archiv Quellen für die historische wie auch die disziplingeschichtliche Forschung zur Verfügung, die jeweils im historischen Kontext betrachtet werden müssen. Dieser Titel erschien in der Zeit vor 1945 und wird daher in seiner zeittypischen politisch-ideologischen Ausrichtung vom Verlag nicht beworben.

Dieser Buchtitel ist Teil des Digitalisierungsprojekts Springer Book Archives mit Publikationen, die seit den Anfängen des Verlags von 1842 erschienen sind. Der Verlag stellt mit diesem Archiv Quellen für die historische wie auch die disziplingeschichtliche Forschung zur Verfügung, die jeweils im historischen Kontext betrachtet werden müssen. Dieser Titel erschien in der Zeit vor 1945 und wird daher in seiner zeittypischen politisch-ideologischen Ausrichtung vom Verlag nicht beworben.