Quantum Leaps
How Maths Drives Scientific Progress
Published on 4. July 2024
320 pages
978-1-78649-767-3 (ISBN)
Description
From the author of Million Dollar Maths comes a fascinating and engaging look at the mathematics that lies behind our modern world.
How does Google know what you want to type?
How did humans first reach the moon?
Could we ever have a supercomputer the size of a pinhead?
In this thrilling numerical journey, Hugh Barker explores how mathematics has helped to build the technology of today, and the fascinating ways it is shaping the future. From green energy to 3-D printing and from quantum cryptography to machine learning, Quantum Leaps reveals the hidden mathematics in modern technology.
Beautifully written and full of ingenious examples, this book will make you realise how the modern world would be impossible without our formidable mathematical armoury.
How does Google know what you want to type?
How did humans first reach the moon?
Could we ever have a supercomputer the size of a pinhead?
In this thrilling numerical journey, Hugh Barker explores how mathematics has helped to build the technology of today, and the fascinating ways it is shaping the future. From green energy to 3-D printing and from quantum cryptography to machine learning, Quantum Leaps reveals the hidden mathematics in modern technology.
Beautifully written and full of ingenious examples, this book will make you realise how the modern world would be impossible without our formidable mathematical armoury.
Reviews / Votes
Great fun. A clear, original and highly readable account of the curious relationship between mathematics and money. * Professor Ian Stewart on Million Dollar Maths * Hugh Barker makes deep ideas fun and profitable. * William Poundstone on Million Dollar Maths *More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
File size
7,11 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-78649-767-3 (9781786497673)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
05/2025
Atlantic Books
€14.00
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Book
07/2024
Atlantic Books
€28.50
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Hugh Barker is a non-fiction author and editor; as the latter he has edited several successful popular maths books, including A Slice of Pi. Hugh is a keen amateur mathematician and was accepted to study maths at Cambridge University aged 16.
Content
INTRODUCTION: Maths, Technology and the Imagination CHAPTER 1: Where Are We Now? - The Maths of Location and Navigation CHAPTER 2: Robots and AI - How Maths Underpins the Horizons and Limits of Silicon Valley CHAPTER 3: Pattern Recognition - Why We All Need to Understand the Mathematics of Patterns and Algorithms CHAPTER 4: Behind the Wheel - Who's Going to Drive You Home? CHAPTER 5: Speed and Flight - Getting from A to B CHAPTER 6: Infinity and Beyond - The Maths of Space Travel CHAPTER 7: Talk About the Weather - From Calendars to Sunny Spells CHAPTER 8: Blah, Blah, Blah - The Maths of Global Warming and the Environment CHAPTER 9: The Internet, Cryptography and Social Media - How Maths Deals with the Interactive Human Race CHAPTER 10: Slices of Life - 3D Printing and Medical Notes CHAPTER 11: Taking the Red Pill - Computer Images, Games and Movies CHAPTER 12: The Infinite Future - How High-Tech Maths Will Continue to Build the Future
