内容简介
MathematicianIanStewarttellsreaderswhathewisheshehadknownwhenhewasastudent.Hetakesupsubjectsrangingfromthephilosophicaltothepractical--whatmathematicsisandwhyit'sworthdoing,therelationshipbetweenlogicandproof,theroleofbeautyinmathematicalthinking,thefutureofmathematics,howtodealwiththepeculiaritiesofthemathematicalcommunity,andmanyothers.