An exploration of the transformative impact of inventions and discoveries in mathematics. Features include fact boxes, sidebars, biographies, timeline, glossary, list of recommended reading and Web sites, and index.

Includes index.

Introduction -- The Abacus -- Numerals -- Fractions -- Units of length -- The Pythagorean theorem -- Geometry -- Prime numbers -- The value of Pi -- Algebra -- The concept of zero -- The decimal system -- The sector -- Calculators -- The probability theory -- The Binary number system -- Calculus -- The metric system -- The mechanical computer -- Chaos theory.