The Secret Formula: How a Mathematical Duel Inflamed Renaissance Italy and Uncovered the Cubic Equation

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The legendary Renaissance math duel that ushered in the modern age of algebra The Secret Formula tells the story of two Renaissance mathematicians whose jealousies, intrigues, and contentious debates led to the discovery of a formula for the solution of the cubic equation. Niccolo Tartaglia was a talented and ambitious teacher who possessed a se

Reviews

"The yeast of the story has been told already many times, but it has never been told like Toscano does in this book."---Adhemar Bultheel, European Mathematical Society
"The cubic formula will always be beyond my grasp . . . but the story of its discovery and of the men who battled over it, so memorably recounted in The Secret Formula, is one I am glad to know."---Jeff Jacoby, The Boston Globe
"Toscano weaves together his sources deftly to make the story as lively and exciting as a novel, with mathematics an organic part of the tale."---MAA Reviews, Daniel J. Curtin
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Toscano is able to provide a realistic and accurate view that captures the complexity of the story of the cubic formula and
the very different mathematical practices of this time. Anyone interested in learning about the history of mathematics will likely find it an interesting and informative read.

Author Bio

Fabio Toscano is a science writer for newspapers and television and is the author of many popular science books.