How Math Explains the World: A Guide to the Power of Numbers, from Car Repair to Modern Physics | 
 enlarge | Author: James D. Stein
Publisher: Collins
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $12.47
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Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 21972
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.1 x 1.2
ISBN: 0061241768
Dewey Decimal Number: 510
EAN: 9780061241765
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New. 100% money back guarantee. All books shipped from Strand Bookstore, New York City, USA.
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Product 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. In the four main sections of the book, Stein tells the stories of the mathematical thinkers who discerned some of the most fundamental aspects of our universe. From their successes and failures, delusions, and even duels, the trajectories of their innovations—and their impact on society—are traced in this fascinating narrative. Quantum mechanics, space-time, chaos theory and the workings of complex systems, and the impossibility of a "perfect" democracy are all here. Stein's book is both mind-bending and practical, as he explains the best way for a salesman to plan a trip, examines why any thought you could have is imbedded in the number ? , and—perhaps most importantly—answers one of the modern world's toughest questions: why the garage can never get your car repaired on time. Friendly, entertaining, and fun, How Math Explains the World is the first book by one of California's most popular math teachers, a veteran of both "math for poets" and Princeton's Institute for Advanced Studies. And it's perfect for any reader wanting to know how math makes both science and the world tick.
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| Customer Reviews:
 I loved this book July 2, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a recent physics graduate with minors in math and computer science, this book was like a brief review of the last four years of my life. For me, it was a page-turner! Stein writes with authority, sans pretentiousness. He takes you through the history of math and science in a very fun way. Easily five stars.
 A Brief Overview of the World of Mathematics May 25, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
It is made abundantly clear in this fascinating book that certain sub-disciplines in mathematics are extremely useful in describing the physical world in which we live. It is made equally clear, and admitted by the author, that many other of its sub-disciplines are (at least currently) completely useless in the sense that there are no known practical applications. The author, a mathematician, does an excellent job in providing the reader with an overview of both types of these sub-disciplines, while discussing various questions and issues in mathematics. To add a human element to these discussions, the author has peppered the text with many historical and micro-biographical snippets, as well as personal anecdotes - thus making the book all the more enjoyable. The writing style is authoritative, very friendly and generally clear; that is, some sections could have been made clearer if figures or diagrams had been included to complement the descriptions that are given, thus saving the reader a bit of re-reading and head scratching (such as in my case). The fact that many mathematical terms are used without being previously defined suggests that the reader should have some basic knowledge in math in order to better appreciate the topics being discussed. Consequently, the book would likely be most enjoyed by science and especially math buffs.
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