|
 
$10.95
Used Hardcover
Ships in 1 to 3 days
More copies of this ISBNThis title in other editionsCoincidences, Chaos, and All That Math Jazz: Making Light of Weighty Ideasby Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:Improbable? Yes. Impossible? No — an irreverent, entertaining, readable, and completely understandable explanation of lofty mathematical ideas.
By starting in the familiar world and using a few simple steps of imagination, Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird sneak up on weighty mathematical ideas. The spirals on a pineapple quickly lead to the famous Fibonacci numbers and the alluring Golden Ratio and from there to aesthetic forms in nature, art, and music. The edge of a twisted strip of paper leads to an image of the shape of the universe. Playing with the notion of probability demonstrates that surprising coincidences such as the amazing parallels between the Lincoln and Kennedy assassinations are sure to happen. These and other foreign and familiar mysteries share two features — they appear inexplicable and they are all explained with great humor and clarity in this book. Perhaps the greatest surprise is that these travels require no math background. If you never thought you would read about mathematics, this book is for you. 160 illustrations. Review:"The gags and the countless puns may strain, but the teaching is lucid and accessible. Throughout, the illustrations make excellent additions as the authors enumerate the charms and grandeurs of numbers. A bit of math in a nutshell, totaling fun." Kirkus Reviews Review:"Burger and Starbird don't bludgeon readers with number theory, geometry, or topology; they take up origami or spin a yarn about a tsetse fly. A profusely illustrated, bemusingly unorthodox introduction to math." Booklist Review:"Informative, intelligent, and refreshingly irreverent. A roller-coaster ride along the frontiers of today's mathematics. I enjoyed it immensely." Ian Stewart, author of Flatterland Book News Annotation:Curious people can enjoy and understand great mathematical ideas
without having to brush up on that boring and often incomprehensible
school arithmetic, promise Burger (mathematics, Williams College) and
Starbird (U. of Texas-Austin). They try to offer an account
comfortable to readers who love math and those who are terrified of
it. Among their topics are why we cannot predict the future,
cryptography decrypted, origami from paper folding to computers and
fiery fractals, and the magic of the fourth dimension.
Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Book News Annotation:Curious people can enjoy and understand great mathematical ideas
without having to brush up on that boring and often incomprehensible
school arithmetic, promise Burger (mathematics, Williams College) and
Starbird (U. of Texas-Austin). They try to offer an account
comfortable to readers who love math and those who are terrified of
it. Among their topics are why we cannot predict the future,
cryptography decrypted, origami from paper folding to computers and
fiery fractals, and the magic of the fourth dimension.
Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Synopsis:By starting in the familiar world and using a few simple steps of imagination, Burger and Starbird sneak up on weighty mathematical ideas in familiar mysteries that share two features — they appear inexplicable and they are all explained with great humor and clarity in this book. About the AuthorEdward B. Burger (Williams College) and Michael Starbird (University of Texas at Austin) are award-winning professors, authors, and speakers. What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
Other books you might like
Related Aisles
|
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
Follow us on...
|
||||||||||
Don't Miss
