The Mathematical Tourist: New and Updated Snapshots of Modern MathematicsIn the first edition of The Mathematical Tourist, renowned science journalist Ivars Peterson took readers on an unforgettable tour through the sometimes bizarre, but always fascinating, landscape of modern mathematics. Now the journey continues in a new, updated edition that includes all the latest information on mathematical proofs, fractals, prime numbers, and chaos, as well as new material on * the relationship between mathematical knots and DNA * how computers based on quantum logic can significantly speed up the factoring of large composite numbers * the relationship between four-dimensional geometry and physical theories of the nature of matter * the application of cellular automata models to social questions and the peregrinations of virtual ants * a novel mathematical model of quasicrystals based on decagon-shaped tiles Blazing a trail through rows of austere symbols and dense lines of formulae, Peterson explores the central ideas behind the work of professional mathematicians-- how and where their pieces of the mathematical puzzle fit in, the sources of their ideas, their fountains of inspiration, and the images that carry them from one discovery to another. |
Other editions - View all
The Mathematical Tourist: New and Updated Snapshots of Modern Mathematics Ivars Peterson Limited preview - 1998 |
The Mathematical Tourist: New and Updated Snapshots of Modern Mathematics Ivars Peterson Limited preview - 1998 |
The Mathematical Tourist: New and Updated Snapshots of Modern Mathematics Ivars Peterson No preview available - 1998 |
Common terms and phrases
algorithm attractor basins of attraction behavior boundary catenoid cell cellular cellular automata chaos chaotic circle COLOR PLATE complex numbers cryptosystem crystal cube curvature curve cycle digits doughnut equations example factoring Figure Flatland four-dimensional fractal dimension functions geometry graph grid happens higher dimensions hypercube hypersphere idea infinite number integers iterated Julia sets knapsack knot knot theory large number look loop Mandelbrot set manifolds mathe mathematical mathematicians Mersenne Mersenne primes minimal surfaces Modular arithmetic Newton's method number theory object orbits pair particles particular path pattern Penrose Penrose tiling physical picture piece plane Poincaré conjecture polynomial possible prime numbers problem proof proved random represent result rules scheme Scientific American sequence simple snowflake soap film solve space sphere square starting point step strange structure theorem three-dimensional three-manifolds tiles tion topological torus triangles Turing machine turns twisted University variables whole numbers zero