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Have you noticed that most (advanced) books on mathematics have yellow covers? Why is that?
Maybe it is because the target audience likes uniformity? Otherwise, I don't know how to demystify this issue.Demystifier said:Perhaps, but Springer publishes also books on other branches of science, and those do not seem to be of such a uniform color.
mathwonk said:i have about 200 math books on my shelf, of which 38 are yellow, all from springer. in the old days it was sometimes suggested to traveling mathematicians that to be recognized at airports by people meeting us, we should carry a yellow springer book in hand! as a remark on the imprecise meaning of "advanced", it is, with some exceptions, the less advanced ones (graduate level) that are yellow, the more advanced ones (research level) being a dull orange.
Geofleur said:I always want to read books from start to finish, but I often end up doing just what mathwonk describes.
Geofleur said:Perhaps it's helpful to share my own experiences, too (I read an awful lot of both math and physics):
I always want to read books from start to finish, but I often end up doing just what mathwonk describes. The books that are most valuable to me, math or physics, I end up eventually completing, but not in order. I read and re-read this section and that, depending on what I'm working on at the time, and supplement with other readings when I get stuck. Knowledge is more like a web than a straight line.
The skipping around thing is, in my case, due to the practical needs of research. It's also fun, though, to read things that have nothing to do with a particular problem. And then I tend to read things in order. I read Landau and Lifshitz's Mechanics that way (and what a book!). Finally, I find it very pleasant, once I've seen everything in a book, and if it's well written, to go back and read it from start to finish.
mathwonk said:i have about 200 math books on my shelf, of which 38 are yellow, all from springer. in the old days it was sometimes suggested to traveling mathematicians that to be recognized at airports by people meeting us, we should carry a yellow springer book in hand! as a remark on the imprecise meaning of "advanced", it is, with some exceptions, the less advanced ones (graduate level) that are yellow, the more advanced ones (research level) being a dull orange.
mathwonk said:i have almost never read a book front to back
Is it measure theory by Bogachev, I have it in my library?Bipolar Demon said:Almost every yellow maths book has a springer tag on it. I have one from the libray which is 2/3 yellow but 1/3 blue.
it is a mystery
MathematicalPhysicist said:Is it measure theory by Bogachev, I have it in my library?
I think physicists actually like numbers more than mathematicians do (except number theorists, of course).vanhees71 said:In Germany phone books are yellow. Maybe mathematicians like yellow covers, because there are so many numbers in phone books?
Like the cat in your avatar.vela said:Might the yellow/black combination have something to do with this?
Everything is dangerous in nature, it's a dog eat dog world... :-Dvela said:Might the yellow/black combination have something to do with this?
At that time the next generation of the Springer Publishing House was in a big fight with his uncle, who wanted to (throw him) out because he made big commitments — I think it was not the Handbuch der Physik — but to some journal. He made some comitment, very many hundred thousand marks. Springer was really a genius. I mean this combination of understanding for science and people and business. And so I met Springer, and we talked on some occasions about mathematics and religion And I was very unhappy about the existing textbooks. Of course Hilbert had always said, in the old times some good textbooks were written, Riemann-Weber, and Weber's algebra and so on. But now this generation must also do something And I felt inspired by this. I talked with Hilbert about this Springer, and this plan of the yellow series was conceived then.
Fervent Freyja said:Richard Courant said:
He also had his own "yellow peril" series before Springer put him on payroll. So, it's probably safe to state that Courant was a large influence for the textbook series being yellow for the last century. That's all I could find. vela is probably spot on about the intended meaning of the color being dangerous, since his own series had a warning label, it could be assumed the humorous intention was the same for the series he helped Springer with. Though, until the company states that with certainty, the meaning of the color can't be known for sure/
I know only one such bookdkotschessaa said:I swear that one semester I had at least 3 books (math and logic) with something like this on the cover:
Yellow is often used as the color for math books because it is believed to stimulate the brain and enhance concentration, making it easier for students to focus on complex mathematical concepts.
While yellow is commonly used in math books, some authors and publishers may choose to use other colors for aesthetic or branding purposes. The color of a math book does not affect its content or quality.
There is no specific shade of yellow that is considered the best for math books. Some may prefer a brighter shade for better visibility, while others may prefer a softer shade for a more calming effect.
While there is some research that suggests yellow can improve focus and concentration, there is no specific study that proves its effectiveness in math books. The use of color in educational materials is still a debated topic among scientists.
The color of a math book may have a subtle impact on a student's learning, but it is not a determining factor. Other factors such as teaching methods, student engagement, and individual learning styles have a much greater influence on academic performance.