Beyond Reason: Eight Great Problems That Reveal the Limits of ScienceA mind-bending excursion to the limits of science and mathematics Are some scientific problems insoluble? In Beyond Reason, internationally acclaimed math and science author A. K. Dewdney answers this question by examining eight insurmountable mathematical and scientific roadblocks that have stumped thinkers across the centuries, from ancient mathematical conundrums such as "squaring the circle," first attempted by the Pythagoreans, to G?del's vexing theorem, from perpetual motion to the upredictable behavior of chaotic systems such as the weather. A. K. Dewdney, PhD (Ontario, Canada), was the author of Scientific American's "Computer Recreations" column for eight years. He has written several critically acclaimed popular math and science books, including A Mathematical Mystery Tour (0-471-40734-8); Yes, We Have No Neutrons (0-471-29586-8); and 200% of Nothing (0-471-14574-2). |
Contents
Where Reason Cannot Go | 1 |
Impossible Machines | 11 |
Unreachable Speeds | 35 |
Copyright | |
8 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Beyond Reason: Eight Great Problems That Reveal the Limits of Science A. K. Dewdney Limited preview - 2004 |
Beyond Reason: Eight Great Problems That Reveal the Limits of Science A. K. Dewdney No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
algebraic numbers algorithm angle arithmetic atom attractor axioms base point beam behavior Bell's inequality Bell's theorem called cell century chaos complexity conservation of energy consists constructable number Cook's theorem Copenhagen interpretation decision problem detector developed digits discovered dynamical systems Einstein electrons equation ether example experiment exponential expression formula function Gödel number grimbliks halt happens Hilbert Hobbes instance integers length logical Lorenz Mandelbrot set math mathematician mathematics measure meters moving natural numbers nondeterministic nondeterministic algorithm NP complete particles pendulum perpetual motion machine phase space photon photon passes physical physicist polarization polynomial polynomial-time position predict produce proof Proof(x propositional propositional logic prove quantum mechanics ramp rational numbers real numbers Redheffer represent result rollers satisfiability problem simply slit solution solve speed of light squaring the circle Suppose symbol tape theorem theory tion transformation triangle true Turing machine turn variable velocity wave wheel words