Frequently Asked Questions in Mathematics
The Sci.Math FAQ Team.
Editor:
Alex López-Ortiz
Copyright (C) 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995,
1996, 1997.
This is a compilation of Frequently Asked Questions (and their
answers) about Mathematics. Topics range from trivia and the trivial
to advanced subjects such as Wiles recent proof
of Fermat's Last Theorem.
There are several formats available for the table of contents, mostly
because HTML does not handle math symbols well. At this time pretty
much all versions are in synchrony. (See list of updates).
The available formats are:
Note: The FAQ in dvi format contains an Encapsulated PostScript
drawing
which cannot be read directly from your local dvi browser. Any ideas?
- Text Based Browsers such as Lynx should browse
the Text Table of Contents. This
link is also great for low bandwith (aka slow) connections.
-
Graphic Browsers such as Mosaic or Netscape should browse the
Table of Contents.
- Dvi (TeX) Format is available for on-screen browsing. This
dvi version
has small pages, so that users with 14" monitors may
read each page without scrolling. (245KB)
- Dvi (TeX) Format This is a printer ready
dvi version. (235KB)
- New Acrobat (PDF) Format This is a printer ready
pdf version. (458KB)
- PostScript Format. The dvi file above is also available in
PostScript. (550KB)
- Compressed PostScript Format. The PS file above is also
available in *.ps.Z (210KB) and
*.ps.zip (165KB) formats.
The Math FAQ is a so-called living document, meaning that changes and
updates are constantly being introduced. This list should help you decide
if it is the time to have a second look at the document.
- February 1998 New HTML version. Minor updates elsewhere.
- March, 1997. Yet more new record primes. Updates to
Hilbert's section. Many other minor suggestions.
- December, 1995. New record primes. New section on Algebraic
Numbers by Andrea de Paoli. Information about the International Math
Olympiad home page.
- November, 1995. As promised, the new version of the FAQ
is now available in HTML for both graphic and text based browsers.
- October, 1995. FAQ made into book format, with a more natural
division in chapters and sections. More updates on Fermat's last theorem.
Largest primes. Mathematical Constants.
-
March, 1995. Fermat's last theorem update. Textbook section. Largest
known primes. List of record numbers. Unsolved Problems. Trisection
of the Triangle. Naming of Large Numbers.
- February, 1995. Fields Medal Winners. 0^0=1. Fields Medal history.
Cayley/Magma.
Copyright (c) 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 A. Lopez-Ortiz
This FAQ is Copyright (C) 1993, 1994, 1995, 1995, 1996, 1997 by Alex Lopez-Ortiz. This text,
in whole or in part, may not be sold in any medium, including,
but not limited to electronic, CD-ROM, or published in print,
without the explicit, written permission of Alex Lopez-Ortiz.
Individual sections are Copyright (C) 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 of their individual
maintainers.
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Please send comments to Alex Lopez-Ortiz (alopez-o@unb.ca)