Nature's Numbers (Paperback)

Ian Stewart

ISBN 10: 0465072747 / ISBN 13: 9780465072743

Published by Basic Books (AZ), New York, 1997

About this Item

Paperback. "It appears to us that the universe is structured in a deeply mathematical way. Falling bodies fall with predictable accelerations. Eclipses can be accurately forecast centuries in advance. Nuclear power plants generate electricity according to well-known formulas. But those examples are the tip of the iceberg. In Nature's Numbers, Ian Stewart presents many more, each charming in its own way. Stewart admirably captures compelling and accessible mathematical ideas along with the pleasure of thinking of them. He writes with clarity and precision. Those who enjoy this sort of thing will love this book."- Los Angeles Times Why do many flowers have five or eight petals, but very few have six or seven? Why do snowflakes have six-fold symmetry? Why do tigers have stripes, but leopards spots? Science writer Ian Stewart suggests mathematical regularities in natural forms and explains why math is the best tool yet for understanding the world around us. Illustrations. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780465072743

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Nature's Numbers (Paperback)
• Publisher: Basic Books (AZ), New York
• Publication Date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0465072747
• ISBN 13: 9780465072743
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

"It appears to us that the universe is structured in a deeply mathematical way. Falling bodies fall with predictable accelerations. Eclipses can be accurately forecast centuries in advance. Nuclear power plants generate electricity according to well-known formulas. But those examples are the tip of the iceberg. In Nature's Numbers, Ian Stewart presents many more, each charming in its own way.. Stewart admirably captures compelling and accessible mathematical ideas along with the pleasure of thinking of them. He writes with clarity and precision. Those who enjoy this sort of thing will love this book." - Los Angeles Times

About the Author

Ian Stewart is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Warwick and is well known for his writing and broadcasting about mathematics for nonspecialists. He has written over 140 research papers on such subjects as symmetry in dynamics, pattern formation, chaos, and mathematical biology, as well as numerous popular books, including Letters to a Young Mathematician, Does God Play Dice?, What Shape Is a Snowflake?, Nature's Numbers, The Annotated Flatland, and Flatterland. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2001. He lives in Coventry, England.