What's the Use?: The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics - Hardcover

Stewart, Professor Ian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1781259410 ISBN 13: 9781781259412

Publisher: Profile Books, 2021

Synopsis

Many people think mathematics is useless. They're wrong. In the UK, the 2.8 million people employed in mathematical science occupations contributed £208 billion to the economy in a single year -- that's 10 per cent of the workforce contributing 16 per cent of the economy.
What's the Use? asks why there is such a vast gulf between public perceptions of mathematics and reality. It shows how mathematics is vital, often in surprising ways, behind the scenes of daily life. How politicians pick their voters. How an absurd little puzzle solved 300 years ago leads to efficient methods for kidney transplants. How an Irish mathematician's obsession with a new number system improves special effects in movies and computer games. How SatNav relies on at least six mathematical techniques. And how a bizarre, infinitely wiggly curve, helps to optimise deliveries to your door.

About this title

About the Author

Ian Stewart is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at
the University of Warwick and the author of the bestseller Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities.
His recent books include Do Dice Play God?, Significant Figures, Professor Stewart's Incredible Numbers, Seventeen Equations that Changed the World, Professor Stewart's Casebook of Mathematical Mysteries and Calculating the Cosmos.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Edition details

• Publisher: Profile Books
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1781259410
• ISBN 13: 9781781259412
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336