Publisher's Synopsis
This is a book which though small bears evidence of a wonderful amount of research and labor. The author, Professor Conant, has drawn from every possible source to give the reader information upon the origin of number, the use ol numerals, the terms used in mathematics, in the weights and measures, and in every conceivable direction where number comes into use. At first sight the book seems to be dry, or, to say the least, adapted only to the comprehension of those to whom mathematics is a delight or a necessity; but as one looks over the pages very interesting matter is revealed and there is an immense amount of information written in a very attractive style. --"The Buffalo Commercial."Prof. L. L. Conant, of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in his opening chapter on "Counting'' in his just published work on " The Number Concept, Its Origin and Development," says: "Among the speculative questions which arise in connection with the study of arithmetic from a historical standpoint the origin of number is one that has provoked the most lively discussion and has led to a great amount of learned research among the primitive and savage languages of the human race.Prof. Conant can find no trace in the history of even the most barbarous tribes where there is not at least some familiarity with the number concept. This knowledge is in some cases extremely limited. Among some of the forest tribes of Brazil and the native races of Australia the knowledge of numbers does not go beyond 1 and 2, or 1, 2 and 3, but there is the knowledge all the same. There is at least the concept even in the lowest condition of savagery of a difference between one and two, or at least between one and many.Some idea of the scope of this most interesting work may be had from the chapter titles, Counting, Number System Limits, Origin of Number Words, Miscellaneous Number Bases, The Quinary System, and the Vigesimal System. The work shows great research and Prof. Conant has drawn as far as possible upon original resources. He has also taken great care in the selection of his authorities, and makes his work an attractive one even to those who have little or no interest in mathematics. --"The Boston Daily Advertiser."
