Cajori F. A History of Mathematical Notations. Volume 1

Cosimo Classics, 2007. — 471 p.Described even today as "unsurpassed, " this history of mathematical notation stretching back to the Babylonians and Egyptians is one of the most comprehensive written. In two impressive volumes-first published in 1928-9-distinguished mathematician Florian Cajori shows the origin, evolution, and dissemination of each symbol and the competition it faced in its rise to popularity or fall into obscurity.Illustrated with more than a hundred diagrams and figures, this "mirror of past and present conditions in mathematics" will give students and historians a whole new appreciation for "1 + 1 =
2. "