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I am sure that I am not the only one who often bemoans that their university doesn't have that [extremely specific book or paper] they're looking for.

On reflection, I realise it is impractical for the library to have a copy of every mathematical text or paper...but just how impractical would it be?

To a rough approximation, how many textbooks and papers have been written on modern higher mathematics? How many new ones are published each year? How large a library would be needed to hold them all?

Nethesis
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  • I have no way of answering you decently, but for the guys who have, I guess you will have to define what is a "mathematical book". One written by mathematicians? A book which talks about maths? A book where numbers appear? – RGS Nov 22 '16 at 09:39
  • Maybe ArXiv preprint site publishes figures on new papers and amazon on new books? – Paul Nov 22 '16 at 09:39
  • @RSerrao A first definition could just be 'a textbook written to cover a subject at the undergraduate or higher level' – Nethesis Nov 22 '16 at 09:52
  • You are talking about physical copies right? If digital copies are allowed, the size of one room may suffice :P – yoyostein Nov 22 '16 at 10:05
  • @yoyostein Let us pretend that ink and paper are very very cheap – Nethesis Nov 22 '16 at 10:10

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