AbstractsMathematics

The four color problem before 1890

by Wilmer Leo Waldman




Institution: Oregon State University
Department: Mathematics
Degree: MS
Year: 1965
Keywords: Topology
Record ID: 1572912
Full text PDF: http://hdl.handle.net/1957/47927


Abstract

This work contains a brief history of the four color problem from 1840 to 1890. This includes Kempe's attempted proof of the problem as well as maps which illustrate Heawood's discussion of Kempe's error. The remaining part is a discussion of Kempe's and Story's work on patching out maps. Story modified Kempe's original work to make the formulas more rigorous. Unfortunately, Story's work also relied upon Kempe's error and so is also in part incorrect.