[Rarebooks] FS: Important 19th c. Mathematics address

[Kaaterskill Books]

We offer for Sale:

Gibbs, J. Willard [Josiah]. ON MULTIPLE ALGEBRA. AN ADDRESS BEFORE 
THE SECTION OF MATHEMATICS AND  ASTRONOMY  OF  THE  AMERICAN 
ASSOCIATION  FOR  THE  ADVANCEMENT  OF  SCIENCE  AT  THE  BUFFALO 
MEETING, AUGUST, 1886. Salem: Printed at the Salem Press, 1886. 32 
pp. Sm. 4to. Paper wrappers. Offprint from the Proceedings of the 
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Vol. XXXV.

One of the most important and creative papers in mathematics from the 
greatest 19th century American scientist "reckoned among the most 
renowned theoretical physicists of all times..." Max Planck.

In 1886 Gibbs was elected Vice-President of the American Association 
for the Advancement of Science, for the section of mathematics and 
astronomy, delivering an address "On Multiple Algebra." It is the 
most authoritative historical comparison of the different 'vectorial' 
algebras at that time, and an important work in vector analysis 
highlighting his championing of the work of Grassmann. "The great 
merit and power of Grassmann's system, as set forth in Gibbs' 
address, lies in its generality and inclusiveness... It is in the 
recognition of different kinds of products that Grassmann's system 
differs most radically from the multiple algebras of the others, such 
as those of Hamilton and Pierce. And it was in connection with this 
concept of a plurality of multiplications that Gibbs founded his 
principal contributions to the subject....The development of the 
dyadic analysis undoubtably forms Gibb's most significant 
contribution to multiple algebra. His recognition of the key position 
of the indeterminate product in the Grassmannian system and its 
relation to the theory of matrices as well as his demonstration that 
both the algebraic and the external or combinatorial products could 
be derived from the indeterminate product, was an original 
contribution of great value," Wheeler, p113.

Scarce. Gibbs sent out 276 copies of the reprint. OCLC and RLIN list 
12 copies. Front wrapper with a repaired closed tear, minor 
discoloration, tear to lower joint, small chips to the corners of the 
rear wrapper, interior unopened (uncut). An excellent copy of this 
scarce, important work.  [26254] $1800.00


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Regards,

Charles Kutcher
Kaaterskill Books
P.O. Box 122
East Jewett, NY 12424.
Phone: 518-589-0555.
Email: books at kaaterskillbooks.com
Member of I. O. B. A.


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