Our days are numbered
Subtitle: how mathematics orders our lives
By: Jason I. Brown
Publisher: Emblem Editions
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Toronto
Language: eng
Number of pages: 290
ISBN-13: 9780771016974
Copyright date: 2009
Subjects: Social aspects; Mathematics; Aspect social; Mathématiques
Description: "A revealing and entertaining look at the world, as viewed through mathematical eyeglasses. From the moment our feet touch the floor in the morning until our head hits the pillow, numbers are everywhere. And yet most of us go through each day unaware of the mathematics that shapes our lives. In fact, many people go through life fearing and avoiding mathematics, making choices that keep it at arm's length or further. Even basic math - like arithmetic - can seem baffling. In Our Days Are Numbered, Jason Brown leads the reader through a typical day, on a fascinating journey. He shows us the world through a mathematician's eyes and reveals the huge role that mathematics plays in our lives. It lies hidden within the electronics we use, the banking we do, and even the leisure activities we enjoy. Whether we're putting a down payment on a new car, reading the financial pages, or listening to our favourite songs, math is behind it all. At once entertaining and informative, Our Days Are Numbered covers an array of mathematic concepts and explores the hidden links between mathematics and everyday life. Brown reveals that a basic understanding of math can make us more creative in the way we approach the world."--Publisher's description.
Notes: Includes index.
Table of contents: title: Take a number, please!; title: Conversion classes for the masses; title: One graph is worth a thousand words; title: Just the stats, ma?am; title: Sudoku, anyone?; title: Chance, decisions, and the fear factor; title: Redecorating and geometry; title: A long tail, or the one that didn't get away!; title: Networks, fame, and coincidences; title: Internet banking at prime; title: Nature, art, and fractals; title: Sex, math, and rock'n'roll; title: To count, per chance to sleep. . .