Graph Theory 1736-1936

by Biggs, Norman L.; Lloyd, E. Keith; Wilson, Robin J.

• ISBN13: 9780198539162
• ISBN10: 0198539169
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-02-18
• Publisher: Clarendon Press

Summary

First published in 1976, this book has been widely acclaimed both for its significant contribution to the history of mathematics and for the way that it brings the subject alive. Building on a set of original writings from some of the founders of graph theory, the book traces the historicaldevelopment of the subject through a linking commentary. The relevant underlying mathematics is also explained, providing an original introduction to the subject for students. From reviews: 'The book...serves as an excellent examplein fact, as a modelof a new approach to one aspect of mathematics,when mathematics is considered as a living, vital and developing tradition.' (Edward A. Maziark in Isis) 'Biggs, Lloyd and Wilson's unusual and remarkable book traces the evolution and development of graph theory...Conceived in a very original manner and obviously written with devotion and a verygreat amount of painstaking historical research, it contains an exceptionally fine collection of source material, and to a graph theorist it is a treasure chest of fascinating historical information and curiosities with rich food for thought.' (Gabriel Dirac in Centaurus) 'The lucidity, grace andwit of the writing makes this book a pleasure to read and re-read.' (S. H. Hollingdale in Bulletin of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications)

Table of Contents

Oaths

Circuits

Trees

Chemical graphs

Euler's polyhedral formula

The four-colour problem - early history

Colouring maps on surfaces

Ideas from algebra and topology

The four-colour problem - to 1936

The factorization of graphs

Graph theory since 1936

Bibliographical notes

Bibliography: 1736-1936

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.