Thinking Machines: A Layman's Introduction to Logic, Boolean Algebra, and Computers

164 Pages·1961·10.907 MB·English

by  Irving Adler, Ruth Adler

(SIGNED SIGNET SCIENCE LIBRARY
P2065/601
THINKING
MACHINES
IRVING ADLER
ILLUSTRATED BY RUTH ADLER

Vast Intricate Machines Click
y
faultlessly through their electronic paces, echoing
the tempo ofahighlytechnical age.
These manufactured "brains" maintain inven-
tories, calculate payrolls, keep track of plane
reservations, guide missiles, play games, com-
pose music, translate. Thousands ofpeople are
influenced by their work, but only a handful
of people understand how they work. The
technical literature is almost unintelligible to
thelayman.
In this fascinating book, Irving Adler explains
the theory of computers in terms that can be
easily understood by anyone who has had ele-
mentary algebra. He be—gins with the simplest
mathematical concepts everyday arithmetic,
the binary scale of numerals, the brief essen-
tials of logic, showing how these concepts are
used in the building of mechanical calculators.
From this, he takes the reader into the algebra
of classes, propositions, and switching circuits.
Finally he illustrates how Boolean algebra is
used to design circuits that can calculate and
perform deductive reasoning.
Here is a book that unveils a modern mys-
tery, that explains how the art of mathematics
engendered great mathematical brains which
can think faster than man, calculate more ac-
curately, and follow a process of logic without
any of the fallibility of human thought.
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Irving Adler
THINKING
MACHINES
A
Layman's Introduction to
Logic, Boolean Algebra and
Computers
With diagrams by Ruth Adler
SiIKlG•GANM-tXE.T A Signet Science Library Book
BOOK8 )
Publishedby the newAmerican library
© 1961 byIrving andRuthAdler
All rights reserved. This book, orparts thereof,
must not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Forinformation address The John DayCompany,Inc.,
62 West 45th Street, New York 36, New York.
Published as a SIGNET SCIENCE LIBRARY BOOK
By Arrangement with The John Day Company, Inc.
First Printing, February, 1962
SIGNETTRADEMARK REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. ANDFOREIGN COUNTRIES
REGISTEREDTRADEMARK MARCA REGISTRADA
HECHOEN CHICAGO, U.S.A.
SIGNET SCIENCE LIBRARY BOOKS are published by
The New American Library of World Literature, Inc.
501 Madison Avenue, New York 22, New York
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Contents
I. Hardware Brains 9
II. Tools with Self-Control 14
III. Getting an Idiot to Think 19
IV. Numbers and Numerals 28
V. Algebra of Numbers 37
VI. CalculatingMachines 43
VII. Words, Sentences, andLogic 56
VIII. Algebra of Classes 64
IX. Algebra of Propositions 96
X. Switching Circuits 116
XI. Electronic Computers 124
XII. Thinking Machines and the Brain 150
Bibliography 155
Index 157

THINKING MACHINES