Synopses & Reviews
"It appears to us that the universe is structured in a deeply mathematical way. Falling bodies fall with predictable accelerations. Eclipses can be accurately forecast centuries in advance. Nuclear power plants generate electricity according to well-known formulas. But those examples are the tip of the iceberg. In Nature's Numbers, Ian Stewart presents many more, each charming in its own way.. Stewart admirably captures compelling and accessible mathematical ideas along with the pleasure of thinking of them. He writes with clarity and precision. Those who enjoy this sort of thing will love this book."—Los Angeles Times
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-154) and index.
About the Author
Ian Stewart is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Warwick and is well known for his writing and broadcasting about mathematics for nonspecialists. He has written over 140 research papers on such subjects as symmetry in dynamics, pattern formation, chaos, and mathematical biology, as well as numerous popular books, including Letters to a Young Mathematician, Does God Play Dice?, What Shape Is a Snowflake?, Natures Numbers, The Annotated Flatland, and Flatterland. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2001. He lives in Coventry, England.
Table of Contents
ch. 1.Natural order --ch. 2.What mathematics is for --ch. 3.What mathematics is about --ch. 4.Constants of change --ch. 5.From violins to videos --ch. 6.Broken symmetry --ch. 7.Rhythm of life --ch. 8.Do dice play God? --ch. 9.Drops, dynamics, and daisies.