The aim of this book, aimed at young and old people who specialize in mathematics, as well as anyone pursuing independent study, is the historical development of four different mathematical concepts by presenting readers with original sources. Each chapter presents a masterpiece of mathematical achievement, based on a series of selected primary sources.

The authors study the interaction between continuous and continuous, focusing on the amounts of power. They then determine the evolution of algorithms by Newton, Simpson and Smell.

Then they explore our modern understanding of bending, and finally look at the properties of prime numbers. The book includes numerous exercises, photographs and annotated bibliography..