What's the Use?: The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics
Language: English
Published by Profile Books Ltd., London, 2021
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used

Seller: Ryde Bookshop Ltd, Isle of Wight, United KingdomRyde Bookshop Ltd
AbeBooks seller since April 14, 2010
Condition: Used - Very good
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Add to basketItem description from seller
Numbers are printed inside, 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. The first printing of the first edition.
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- Title
- What's the Use?: The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics
- Author
- Ian Stewart
- Publisher
- Profile Books Ltd., London
- Publication year
- 2021
- Condition
- Very Good
- Dust jacket
- Very Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 1781259410
- ISBN 13
- 9781781259412
- Edition
- First Edition First Printing
- Dimensions
- 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall
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.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of 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.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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