How math explains the world
Subtitle: a guide to the power of numbers, from car repair to modern physics
By: James D. Stein.
Publisher: HarperCollins; Smithsonian Books
Published: 2008
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 264
ISBN-13: 9780061241765
Subjects: Mathematics -- Philosophy; Mathematics -- Psychological aspects; Mathematics -- Sociological aspects; Number concept; Mathematical ability
Description: "In How Math Explains the World, mathematician Stein reveals how seemingly arcane mathematical investigations and discoveries have led to bigger, more world-shaking insights into the nature of our world. Quantum mechanics, space-time, chaos theory and the workings of complex systems, and the impossibility of a "perfect" democracy are all here."--Jacket.
Table of contents: title: Why your car never seems to be ready when they promised; title: Describing the universe; title: The measure of all things; title: Reality checks; title: All things great and small; title: The incomplete toolbox; title: Impossible constructions; title: The Hope Diamond of mathematics; title: Never the twain shall meet; title: Even logic has limits; title: Space and time: is that all there is?; title: Information: the Goldilocks dilemma; title: Murphy's law; title: The disorganized universe; title: The raw materials; title: The unattainable utopia; title: Cracks in the foundation; title: The smoke-filled rooms; title: Through a glass darkly.