Milton Abramowitz
Encyclopedia
Milton Abramowitz was a mathematician
at the National Bureau of Standards who, with Irene Stegun
, edited a classic book of mathematical tables called Handbook of Mathematical Functions
, widely known as Abramowitz and Stegun
. Abramowitz died of a heart attack in 1958, at which time the book was not yet completed but was well underway. Stegun took over management of the project and was able to finish the work by 1964, working under the direction of the NBS Chief of Numerical Analysis
Philip J. Davis
, who was also a contributor to the book.
The major work of producing reliable mathematical tables, as described above, was part of the WPA
project of Franklin Roosevelt.
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at the National Bureau of Standards who, with Irene Stegun
Irene Stegun
Irene Anne Stegun was a mathematician at the National Bureau of Standards who, with Milton Abramowitz, edited a classic book of mathematical tables called A Handbook of Mathematical Functions, widely known as Abramowitz and Stegun...
, edited a classic book of mathematical tables called Handbook of Mathematical Functions
Handbook of mathematical functions
*Abramowitz and Stegun, the informal name for Handbook of Mathematical Functions with Formulas, Graphs, and Mathematical Tables*NIST Handbook of Mathematical Functions...
, widely known as Abramowitz and Stegun
Abramowitz and Stegun
Abramowitz and Stegun is the informal name of a mathematical reference work edited by Milton Abramowitz and Irene Stegun of the U.S. National Bureau of Standards...
. Abramowitz died of a heart attack in 1958, at which time the book was not yet completed but was well underway. Stegun took over management of the project and was able to finish the work by 1964, working under the direction of the NBS Chief of Numerical Analysis
Numerical analysis
Numerical analysis is the study of algorithms that use numerical approximation for the problems of mathematical analysis ....
Philip J. Davis
Philip J. Davis
Philip J. Davis is an American applied mathematician.Davis was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He is known for his work in numerical analysis and approximation theory, as well as his investigations in the history and philosophy of mathematics...
, who was also a contributor to the book.
The major work of producing reliable mathematical tables, as described above, was part of the WPA
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
project of Franklin Roosevelt.