Looking back on the coming century, the great development of mathematical science has more firmly established its position as the basis of the whole science and technology than ever before. Mathematics is breaking through the traditional application range, permeating almost all fields of human knowledge, and making more and more direct contributions to human material production and daily life. At the same time, mathematics, as a culture, has become a symbol of human civilization and progress. Therefore, for every educated person in today's society, no matter what occupation they are engaged in, they need to learn, understand and use mathematics. This demand for mathematics in modern society will undoubtedly increase day by day in the next century.
On the other hand, the profound changes in mathematical thought in the 20th century made the core part of this science embark on a highly abstract road. Faced with all kinds of advanced mathematical theories and complicated mathematical methods, laymen often have to flinch. In this way, improving the acceptability of mathematics has become a top priority. Especially at the turn of the century, all countries in the world attach great importance to and vigorously strengthen the popularization of mathematics. The International Mathematical Union (IMU) also designated the year 2000 as the "World Year of Mathematics", with the main purpose of "letting the society, especially the public, know about mathematics and its significance to the world".
Generally speaking, the degree of mathematics popularization in a country corresponds to the level of mathematics development in that country, which is the basis for improving the level of mathematics. With the great progress of modern mathematics research and education in China, the popularization of mathematics has also been paid attention to in China. As early as the 1960s, a group of mathematicians such as Hua and Wu Wenjun personally wrote popular mathematics books, which aroused the interest of a generation of teenagers in learning mathematics, and its influence continues to this day. China mathematical circles have made new efforts to spread modern mathematics. But generally speaking, there is still a gap between China and developed countries in mathematics popularization. It is an important link and an urgent task for China's mathematics to catch up with the advanced world level at the beginning of the next century. Therefore, it is very important to learn from foreign advanced experience.
The editing and publishing of the Translation Series of Famous Popular Mathematics Books is to promote the popularization and dissemination of mathematics in China by translating and introducing excellent foreign popular mathematics books, and make contributions to the cross-century project of China's mathematics catching up with the world's advanced level. The topic selection plan of the series is determined by the publishing house and the editorial board on the basis of extensive investigation of foreign popular mathematics books. The selected works are basically excellent works widely circulated abroad and well received by the public. They include different types in content. Some follow the lead to inspire mathematical thinking and discovery skills; Some philosophically explain the relationship between mathematics and nature or other sciences; ..... and so on, trying to provide people with a brand-new perspective to spy on the development of modern mathematics and appreciate the richness of mathematical culture.
Readers of this series strive to locate in as wide a range as possible. To this end, works of different levels are appropriately included in the series to include universities and middle school students; University and middle school teachers; Graduate students; Most readers, including ordinary scientists and technicians, can benefit from reading. Even for professional mathematicians, some works in this series are worth reading. Modern mathematics is a tree with many branches. In addition to his major, a mathematician often feels like a mountain. He also needs to dabble in the progress of other branches and understand the relationship between different branches of mathematics.
It should be pointed out that due to various reasons, the publication of domestic scientific translation, especially popular science translation, has been sluggish in recent years, and the number of related topics has been decreasing year by year. In this case, Shanghai Education Publishing House took the opportunity of welcoming the World Year of Mathematics in 2000, and organized the translation and publication of this set of translation series of popular mathematics masterpieces at all costs in accordance with the international copyright convention. This is undoubtedly a commendable and supportive move. It is also worthy of recognition and promotion that experts and scholars who have participated in the translation of this series voluntarily spare their precious time to do this kind of useful work. This kind of work is usually not an achievement, but it can help the public understand and appreciate the mathematical achievements.
Such a concentrated translation and introduction of popular mathematics books is rare in China. We earnestly hope that mathematicians and popular science workers will care about and support this work, so that the translation series of popular mathematical classics can be published smoothly.
Let's raise our hands to welcome the World Year of Mathematics in 2000, let the public know and love mathematics, and let mathematics enter every household!
Please refer to the revised edition.