In Pursuit of the Unknown: 17 Equations That Changed the WorldBasic Books, 2012 M03 13 - 360 páginas The seventeen equations that form the basis for life as we know it. Most people are familiar with history's great equations: Newton's Law of Gravity, for instance, or Einstein's theory of relativity. But the way these mathematical breakthroughs have contributed to human progress is seldom appreciated. In In Pursuit of the Unknown, celebrated mathematician Ian Stewart untangles the roots of our most important mathematical statements to show that equations have long been a driving force behind nearly every aspect of our lives. Using seventeen of our most crucial equations -- including the Wave Equation that allowed engineers to measure a building's response to earthquakes, saving countless lives, and the Black-Scholes model, used by bankers to track the price of financial derivatives over time -- Stewart illustrates that many of the advances we now take for granted were made possible by mathematical discoveries. An approachable, lively, and informative guide to the mathematical building blocks of modern life, In Pursuit of the Unknown is a penetrating exploration of how we have also used equations to make sense of, and in turn influence, our world. |
Contenido
Shortening the proceedings | |
The system of the world | |
Portent of the ideal world | |
Patterns of chance | |
Good vibrations | |
Ripples and blips | |
Waves in the ether | |
One thing is absolute | |
Quantum weirdness | |
Codes Communications and computers | |
The Midas formula | |
Otras ediciones - Ver todas
In Pursuit of the Unknown: 17 Equations That Changed the World Ian Stewart Sin vista previa disponible - 2012 |
In Pursuit of the Unknown: 17 Equations That Changed the World Ian Stewart Sin vista previa disponible - 2013 |
Términos y frases comunes
Alexander polynomials algebra angles atom basic bell curve Black–Scholes body Brownian motion calculate called chaos Chapter classical codes complex numbers Copenhagen interpretation curvature dark matter derivative digits distance dynamics Earth effect Einstein electric electromagnetic electrons energy engineers entropy example Figure flow fluid force formula Fourier geometry gravity heat heat equation human idea interpretation Jones polynomial kinetic knot Leibniz light logarithms magnetic mathematical mathematicians measure method microstates molecules motion move Newton Newton’s law Newtonian normal distribution numbers observations orbit particles patterns physicists physics planets polynomial predicted probability problem Pythagoras Pythagoras’s theorem quantity quantum mechanics random real numbers realised Reidemeister moves relativity result second law shape sines and cosines solutions solve space special relativity speed sphere square string superposition symbols temperature theory thermodynamics tiny topology triangle tubes universe velocity vibrating wave equation wave function zero