![]() Cover page of the first edition | |
Author | E.H. Lockwood and R.H. Macmillan |
---|---|
Language | English |
Subject | Geometry, symmetry |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Publication date | 1978 |
Publication place | United Kingdom |
Media type | |
Pages | 228 |
ISBN | 978-0-521-21685-2 |
516.1 | |
LC Class | QA447.L63 |
Text | Geometric symmetry at Internet Archive |
Geometric symmetry is a book by mathematician E.H. Lockwood and design engineer R.H. Macmillan published by Cambridge University Press in 1978. The subject matter of the book is symmetry and geometry.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part (chapters 1-13) is largely descriptive and written for the non-mathematical reader. The second part (chapters 14-27) is more mathematical, but only elementary geometrical knowledge is assumed.
In the first part the authors describe and illustrate the following topics: symmetry elements, frieze patterns, wallpaper patterns, and rod, layer and space patterns. The first part also introduces the concepts of continuous, dilation, dichromatic and polychromatic symmetry.
In the second part the authors revisit all of the topics from the first part; but in more detail, and with greater mathematical rigour. Group theory and symmetry are the foundations of the material in the second part of the book. A detailed analysis of the subject matter is given in the appendix below.
The book is printed in two colours, red and black, to facilitate the identification of colour symmetry in patterns.
In the preface the authors state: "In this book we attempt to provide a fairly comprehensive account of symmetry in a form acceptable to readers without much mathematical knowledge [...] The treatment is geometrical which should appeal to art students and to readers whose mathematical interests are that way inclined." However, Joseph H. Gehringer in a review in The Mathematics Teacher commented "Clearly not intended as a popular treatment of symmetry, the style of the authors is both concise and technical [...] this volume will appeal primarily to those devoting special attention to this field," [1]
The reception of the book was mixed.
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