Back to eBay Home
|Listed in category:

Picture 1 of 1

Mathematical Excursions to the World's Great Buildings, Hahn, Alexander J., Very - Picture 1 of 1
Have one to sell?
Sell it yourself

Mathematical Excursions to the World's Great Buildings, Hahn, Alexander J., Very

MichaelKennethKnight
(3469)
Seller's other items
Contact seller
US $9.94
ApproximatelyRM 42.11
or Best Offer
Condition:
Very Good
“Hardcover with very good dust-jacket. Clean and solid. Ships from a smoke-free home.”
4 available1 sold
Other people bought this. 1 has already sold.
Breathe easy. Free shipping and returns.
Shipping:
Free Economy Shipping.
Located in: Forest Grove, Oregon, United States
Delivery:
Estimated between Thu, 7 Aug and Sat, 9 Aug to 94104
Delivery time is estimated using our proprietary method which is based on the buyer's proximity to the item location, the shipping service selected, the seller's shipping history, and other factors. Delivery times may vary, especially during peak periods.
Returns:
30 days return. Seller pays for return shipping.
Coverage:
Read item description or contact seller for details. See all detailsSee all details on coverage
(Not eligible for eBay purchase protection programmes)
Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.
eBay item number:335904707932
Last updated on Jul 18, 2025 05:57:39 MYTView all revisionsView all revisions

Item specifics

Condition
Very Good
A book that has been read but is in excellent condition. No obvious damage to the cover, with the dust jacket included for hard covers. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. May be very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover. Very minimal wear and tear. See all condition definitionsopens in a new window or tab
Seller Notes
“Hardcover with very good dust-jacket. Clean and solid. Ships from a smoke-free home.”
Book Title
Mathematical Excursions to the World's Great Buildings
ISBN
9780691145204

About this product

Product Identifiers

Publisher
Princeton University Press
ISBN-10
0691145202
ISBN-13
9780691145204
eBay Product ID (ePID)
112788467

Product Key Features

Number of Pages
344 Pages
Language
English
Publication Name
Mathematical Excursions to the World's Great Buildings
Publication Year
2012
Subject
History & Philosophy, Design, Drafting, Drawing & Presentation, Geometry / General, General, Trigonometry
Type
Textbook
Author
Alexander J. Hahn
Subject Area
Mathematics, Architecture
Format
Hardcover

Dimensions

Item Height
1.1 in
Item Weight
36.1 Oz
Item Length
9.8 in
Item Width
8.9 in

Additional Product Features

Intended Audience
College Audience
LCCN
2011-028356
Dewey Edition
23
Reviews
I recommend this book for advanced survey courses or special topics courses. ---Craig McBride, Mathematics Teacher, The book is very readable and well written as a textbook. Readers only need to know some basic high school mathematics. It is very well illustrated with graphics that follow the text and plates in color of the most important buildings that are considered. At the end of each chapter, there are problems and discussions that help the reader to better understand the underlying mathematics. The discussions are particularly interesting because they provide a lot of background information. They cover a range of topics, from the golden rectangle, symmetry and the geodesic triangle to medieval building practices and Gaudi's forms. The book also contains a glossary of architectural terms for the reader's convenience. ---Vesna Velickovic, Mathematical Reviews Clippings, "It is not only a picture book but also a book that is a pleasure to read from cover to cover and I can imagine that after reading it, after a while one will pick it up again and again to just enjoy the illustrations or reread sections and chapters."-- A. Bultheel, European Mathematical Society, Winner of the 2012 PROSE Award in Architecture & Urban Planning, Association of American Publishers One of Choice 's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2013, It is not only a picture book but also a book that is a pleasure to read from cover to cover and I can imagine that after reading it, after a while one will pick it up again and again to just enjoy the illustrations or reread sections and chapters. ---A. Bultheel, European Mathematical Society, "The book is very readable and well written as a textbook. Readers only need to know some basic high school mathematics. It is very well illustrated with graphics that follow the text and plates in color of the most important buildings that are considered. At the end of each chapter, there are problems and discussions that help the reader to better understand the underlying mathematics. The discussions are particularly interesting because they provide a lot of background information. They cover a range of topics, from the golden rectangle, symmetry and the geodesic triangle to medieval building practices and Gaudi's forms. The book also contains a glossary of architectural terms for the reader's convenience." --Vesna Velickovic, Mathematical Reviews Clippings, I commend this book for its interesting and original insights into Archimedes' far-reaching discoveries. ---Phill Schultz, Australian Mathematical Society, "Modern architects rely on algebra and calculus. Hahn turns these tools on historical structures from the Parthenon to the Hagia Sophia to St. Paul's Cathedral, revealing how they hold up and explaining the causes of visible contortions and cracks. . . . More engrossingly, Hahn employs mathematics to explore how architects have conceived of buildings through the ages. In the case of Milan's cathedral, Hahn's discussion is especially rich because his maths plays out against a backdrop of detailed historical documentation, including the testimony of the German [master builder]." --Jonathon Keats, New Scientist, "I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This is a lucidly written, beautifully illustrated, hugely informative volume. . . . Mathematics apart, this book is just plainly an absorbing and informative read. . . . The book is lavishly illustrated--both its architectural and mathematical strands come pretty much alive in the abundance of drawings and diagrams. From this perspective, the book must be very suitable for an advanced Liberal Arts mathematics course; however the aesthetic focus of the book makes it a cultural phenomenon. I would suggest consulting the book before a trip to Europe, Middle East, or Australia. Technical details and depth of coverage brought to you by Alexander Hahn are certain to complement more common travel guides."-- CTK Insights, "The mathematical analysis of building structures is essential to the understanding of architecture. Yet most texts available are abstract and not specific to the importance of such study. At last, Alexander Hahn has provided a thorough and beautifully illustrated mathematical look at the world's greatest buildings that will remedy this void and provide a relevant and absorbing study for architects and others interested in the art of building. I particularly found the description of the amazing structural problem of the Sydney Opera House not only interesting but exciting." --John Burgee, fellow of the American Institute of Architects, "Rich, insightful and detailed, the book is a pleasurable excursion if you want to go beyond a peek at the buildings. Drawings and colour images add understanding to the narration." --Vaidehi Nathan, Organiser, Many exercises contained in the book are a great material for interdisciplinary courses and teacher's training. ---D. Ciesielska, Zentralblatt MATH, A great building has a formal beauty, and it is no surprise that one can understand such buildings through mathematics. Hahn considers numerous buildings such as the Parthenon, the Hagia Sophia, the US Capitol, and the Sydney Opera House, providing a tour through the history of architecture with care and appropriate detail. . . . The author balances the richness of the buildings with the generous development of the mathematical topics, including polygonal geometry, trigonometry, symmetry, conic sections, perspective, and the calculus--all leavened with the problems of transferring loads and stable structures. . . . Hahn has served up a beautiful mix of mathematics, architecture, and history, and he has made it accessible to most readers. This book belongs in every library; it is a treasure trove of wonders., Winner of the 2012 PROSE Award in Architecture & Urban Planning, Association of American Publishers, [Hahn] conducts an opulent historical and geographical tour. ---Jascha Hoffman, New York Times Book Review, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This is a lucidly written, beautifully illustrated, hugely informative volume. . . . Mathematics apart, this book is just plainly an absorbing and informative read. . . . The book is lavishly illustrated--both its architectural and mathematical strands come pretty much alive in the abundance of drawings and diagrams. From this perspective, the book must be very suitable for an advanced Liberal Arts mathematics course; however the aesthetic focus of the book makes it a cultural phenomenon. I would suggest consulting the book before a trip to Europe, Middle East, or Australia. Technical details and depth of coverage brought to you by Alexander Hahn are certain to complement more common travel guides., "A great building has a formal beauty, and it is no surprise that one can understand such buildings through mathematics. Hahn considers numerous buildings such as the Parthenon, the Hagia Sophia, the US Capitol, and the Sydney Opera House, providing a tour through the history of architecture with care and appropriate detail. . . . The author balances the richness of the buildings with the generous development of the mathematical topics, including polygonal geometry, trigonometry, symmetry, conic sections, perspective, and the calculus--all leavened with the problems of transferring loads and stable structures. . . . Hahn has served up a beautiful mix of mathematics, architecture, and history, and he has made it accessible to most readers. This book belongs in every library; it is a treasure trove of wonders."-- Choice, "[Hahn] conducts an opulent historical and geographical tour." --Jascha Hoffman, New York Times Book Review, The book is very readable and well written as a textbook. Readers only need to know some basic high school mathematics. It is very well illustrated with graphics that follow the text and plates in color of the most important buildings that are considered. At the end of each chapter, there are problems and discussions that help the reader to better understand the underlying mathematics. The discussions are particularly interesting because they provide a lot of background information. They cover a range of topics, from the golden rectangle, symmetry and the geodesic triangle to medieval building practices and Gaudi's forms. The book also contains a glossary of architectural terms for the reader's convenience., "Rich, insightful and detailed, the book is a pleasurable excursion if you want to go beyond a peek at the buildings. Drawings and colour images add understanding to the narration."-- Vaidehi Nathan, Organiser, Rich, insightful and detailed, the book is a pleasurable excursion if you want to go beyond a peek at the buildings. Drawings and colour images add understanding to the narration. ---Vaidehi Nathan, Organiser, "Modern architects rely on algebra and calculus. Hahn turns these tools on historical structures from the Parthenon to the Hagia Sophia to St. Paul's Cathedral, revealing how they hold up and explaining the causes of visible contortions and cracks. . . . More engrossingly, Hahn employs mathematics to explore how architects have conceived of buildings through the ages. In the case of Milan's cathedral, Hahn's discussion is especially rich because his maths plays out against a backdrop of detailed historical documentation, including the testimony of the German [master builder]."-- Jonathon Keats, New Scientist, "Many exercises contained in the book are a great material for interdisciplinary courses and teacher's training."-- D. Ciesielska, Zentralblatt MATH, "I recommend this book for advanced survey courses or special topics courses."-- Craig McBride, Mathematics Teacher, "[H]andsomely produced and lavishly illustrated. . . . Hahn tends to avoid discussing some of the aesthetic versus engineering limitations in favor of explaining how things work. And in that area he can be very helpful to the experienced architecture fan and the novice as well. . . . The mathematical sections are well illustrated and pictures of buildings abound. . . . No effort has been spared to make this an informative and aesthetically pleasing book. And the problems are fun too." --Gerald L. Alexanderson, MAA Reviews, "Clear and engaging, this terrific book contains interesting and authentic mathematical applications. Mathematical Excursions to the World's Great Buildings is a book you can curl up with and enjoy." --Marc Frantz, Indiana University, [H]andsomely produced and lavishly illustrated. . . . Hahn tends to avoid discussing some of the aesthetic versus engineering limitations in favor of explaining how things work. And in that area he can be very helpful to the experienced architecture fan and the novice as well. . . . The mathematical sections are well illustrated and pictures of buildings abound. . . . No effort has been spared to make this an informative and aesthetically pleasing book. And the problems are fun too. ---Gerald L. Alexanderson, MAA Reviews, "I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This is a lucidly written, beautifully illustrated, hugely informative volume. . . . Mathematics apart, this book is just plainly an absorbing and informative read. . . . The book is lavishly illustrated--both its architectural and mathematical strands come pretty much alive in the abundance of drawings and diagrams. From this perspective, the book must be very suitable for an advanced Liberal Arts mathematics course; however the aesthetic focus of the book makes it a cultural phenomenon. I would suggest consulting the book before a trip to Europe, Middle East, or Australia. Technical details and depth of coverage brought to you by Alexander Hahn are certain to complement more common travel guides." -- CTK Insights, Modern architects rely on algebra and calculus. Hahn turns these tools on historical structures from the Parthenon to the Hagia Sophia to St. Paul's Cathedral, revealing how they hold up and explaining the causes of visible contortions and cracks. . . . More engrossingly, Hahn employs mathematics to explore how architects have conceived of buildings through the ages. In the case of Milan's cathedral, Hahn's discussion is especially rich because his maths plays out against a backdrop of detailed historical documentation, including the testimony of the German [master builder]. ---Jonathon Keats, New Scientist, It is not only a picture book but also a book that is a pleasure to read from cover to cover and I can imagine that after reading it, after a while one will pick it up again and again to just enjoy the illustrations or reread sections and chapters., Modern architects rely on algebra and calculus. Hahn turns these tools on historical structures from the Parthenon to the Hagia Sophia to St. Paul's Cathedral, revealing how they hold up and explaining the causes of visible contortions and cracks. . . . More engrossingly, Hahn employs mathematics to explore how architects have conceived of buildings through the ages. In the case of Milan's cathedral, Hahn's discussion is especially rich because his maths plays out against a backdrop of detailed historical documentation, including the testimony of the German [master builder]., "It is not only a picture book but also a book that is a pleasure to read from cover to cover and I can imagine that after reading it, after a while one will pick it up again and again to just enjoy the illustrations or reread sections and chapters." --A. Bultheel, European Mathematical Society, "Readers who enjoy connecting mathematics to real-world applications will find this book intriguing, as will anyone who wants to learn more about the forces and mathematics behind the construction of the world's great buildings." --Michael Huber, author of Mythematics, "[Hahn] conducts an opulent historical and geographical tour."-- Jascha Hoffman, New York Times Book Review, "A great building has a formal beauty, and it is no surprise that one can understand such buildings through mathematics. Hahn considers numerous buildings such as the Parthenon, the Hagia Sophia, the US Capitol, and the Sydney Opera House, providing a tour through the history of architecture with care and appropriate detail. . . . The author balances the richness of the buildings with the generous development of the mathematical topics, including polygonal geometry, trigonometry, symmetry, conic sections, perspective, and the calculus--all leavened with the problems of transferring loads and stable structures. . . . Hahn has served up a beautiful mix of mathematics, architecture, and history, and he has made it accessible to most readers. This book belongs in every library; it is a treasure trove of wonders." -- Choice, [H]andsomely produced and lavishly illustrated. . . . Hahn tends to avoid discussing some of the aesthetic versus engineering limitations in favor of explaining how things work. And in that area he can be very helpful to the experienced architecture fan and the novice as well. . . . The mathematical sections are well illustrated and pictures of buildings abound. . . . No effort has been spared to make this an informative and aesthetically pleasing book. And the problems are fun too., "The book is very readable and well written as a textbook. Readers only need to know some basic high school mathematics. It is very well illustrated with graphics that follow the text and plates in color of the most important buildings that are considered. At the end of each chapter, there are problems and discussions that help the reader to better understand the underlying mathematics. The discussions are particularly interesting because they provide a lot of background information. They cover a range of topics, from the golden rectangle, symmetry and the geodesic triangle to medieval building practices and Gaudi's forms. The book also contains a glossary of architectural terms for the reader's convenience."-- Vesna Velickovic, Mathematical Reviews Clippings, "Many exercises contained in the book are a great material for interdisciplinary courses and teacher's training." --D. Ciesielska, Zentralblatt MATH, Rich, insightful and detailed, the book is a pleasurable excursion if you want to go beyond a peek at the buildings. Drawings and colour images add understanding to the narration., "I recommend this book for advanced survey courses or special topics courses." --Craig McBride, Mathematics Teacher, "[H]andsomely produced and lavishly illustrated. . . . Hahn tends to avoid discussing some of the aesthetic versus engineering limitations in favor of explaining how things work. And in that area he can be very helpful to the experienced architecture fan and the novice as well. . . . The mathematical sections are well illustrated and pictures of buildings abound. . . . No effort has been spared to make this an informative and aesthetically pleasing book. And the problems are fun too."-- Gerald L. Alexanderson, MAA Reviews, "I commend this book for its interesting and original insights into Archimedes' far-reaching discoveries." --Phill Schultz, Australian Mathematical Society
Illustrated
Yes
Dewey Decimal
720.151
Synopsis
How mathematics helped build the world's most important buildings from early Egypt to the present 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., 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, Gaud , 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., 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, Gaudi, 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., From the pyramids and the Parthenon to the Sydney Opera House and the Bilbao Guggenheim, this book takes readers on a tour of the mathematics behind some of the world's most spectacular buildings. It explores the elementary mathematics that enlivens the understanding of these buildings.
LC Classification Number
NA2750.H325 2012

Item description from the seller

About this seller

MichaelKennethKnight

100% positive feedback•5.6K items sold

Joined Nov 1998
Usually responds within 24 hours
Welcome to my eBay Store. Please add me to your list of favorite sellers and visit often. Thank you for your business.
Visit storeContact

Detailed Seller Ratings

Average for the last 12 months
Accurate description
5.0
Reasonable shipping cost
5.0
Shipping speed
5.0
Communication
5.0

Seller feedback (2,593)

All ratings
Positive
Neutral
Negative
See all feedback

More to explore :