Why Does Math Work … If It's Not Real? - Dragan Radulović

Why Does Math Work … If It's Not Real?

Episodes in Unreasonable Effectiveness
Buch | Hardcover
200 Seiten
2023
Cambridge University Press (Verlag)
978-1-316-51192-3 (ISBN)
56,10 inkl. MwSt
Why is ancient mathematics applicable to modern technology? This engaging book explores that question through a series of fascinating stories of mathematical effectiveness, packed with anecdotes and witty storytelling. Aimed at a general audience, readers only need intellectual curiosity and a basic familiarity with high school calculus.
According to G. H. Hardy, the 'real' mathematics of the greats like Fermat and Euler is 'useless,' and thus the work of mathematicians should not be judged on its applicability to real-world problems. Yet, mysteriously, much of mathematics used in modern science and technology was derived from this 'useless' mathematics. Mobile phone technology is based on trig functions, which were invented centuries ago. Newton observed that the Earth's orbit is an ellipse, a curve discovered by ancient Greeks in their futile attempt to double the cube. It is like some magic hand had guided the ancient mathematicians so their formulas were perfectly fitted for the sophisticated technology of today. Using anecdotes and witty storytelling, this book explores that mystery. Through a series of fascinating stories of mathematical effectiveness, including Planck's discovery of quanta, mathematically curious readers will get a sense of how mathematicians develop their concepts.

Dragan Radulović is a theoretical mathematician who also publishes in the area of molecular biology. He is an ardent traveler and adventurist. His previous book, On the Road Again – 2018, is about his road trip through Iran and Afghanistan. After stints at Princeton University and Yale University, he moved to South Florida, where he surfs, writes, and does mathematics.

Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. Rare Axioms; 1. Introducing the Mystery; 2. On Classical Mathematics; 3. On Modern Physics; Intermezzo: What Have We Learned?; 4. On Computer Games; 5. On Mathematical Logic; 6. On Postulates and Axioms; Part II. The Oracle; 7. Introducing the Oracle; 8. On Probability; 9. The Oracle, Its Majesty; Epilogue: The Eternal Blueprint; Post Scriptum: On Mathematical Grand Design; Appendix; Recommended Reading; Index.

Erscheinungsdatum
Zusatzinfo Worked examples or Exercises
Verlagsort Cambridge
Sprache englisch
Maße 158 x 235 mm
Gewicht 390 g
Themenwelt Mathematik / Informatik Mathematik Mathematische Spiele und Unterhaltung
ISBN-10 1-316-51192-8 / 1316511928
ISBN-13 978-1-316-51192-3 / 9781316511923
Zustand Neuware
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