Man vs Maths
Understanding the curious mathematics that power our world
Published on 15. September 2016
224 pages
978-1-78131-621-4 (ISBN)
Description
Could we solve queuing with an equation? How do algorithms control our news? What is the secret behind encryption codes?
Mathematics is inescapable. Wherever you go, whatever you do, however you live your life, mathematics plays a role.
From controlling a city's traffic to finding love, spending money online to building a skyscraper, the mathematics at play in our world is fascinating. Yet despite its ubiquity, for many of us, how the maths of today really works remains complex.
Timothy Revell distils these complexities in this essential guide to modern-day mathematics. Along the way we discover how social media trends work, why the universe has a favourite number and what this means for you.
Man vs Maths shows you how understanding a little more mathematics can help improve your life.
Mathematics is inescapable. Wherever you go, whatever you do, however you live your life, mathematics plays a role.
From controlling a city's traffic to finding love, spending money online to building a skyscraper, the mathematics at play in our world is fascinating. Yet despite its ubiquity, for many of us, how the maths of today really works remains complex.
Timothy Revell distils these complexities in this essential guide to modern-day mathematics. Along the way we discover how social media trends work, why the universe has a favourite number and what this means for you.
Man vs Maths shows you how understanding a little more mathematics can help improve your life.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Quarto Publishing PLC
Product notice
Reflowable
File size
11,64 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-78131-621-4 (9781781316214)
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
07/2017
Aurum
€31.13
Article exhausted; check different version
Book
09/2016
Aurum
€38.56
Article exhausted; check different version
Person
Timothy Revell has a Masters in mathematics and a PhD in computer science, but despite this he still struggles with long division. He has worked with BBC Horizon, The Naked Scientists radio show - one of the world's most popular science shows, and writes for New Scientist. Timothy learnt his trade running an award-winning science communication group in Glasgow called the GIST, producing articles, videos and podcasts. He loves mathematics and thinks that everybody else should too.
Content
- Intro
- Title Page
- Contents
- Introduction: Man vs Mathematics
- 1 Search Theory: Where's the treasure?
- 2 Algorithms: How do you make love with mathematics?
- 3 Data: Can mathematics make me happy?
- 4 Game Theory: Why aren't you having sex right now?
- 5 Subdivision: How do you draw a Pixar circle?
- 6 Probability: Coincidence? I think so
- 7 Cryptography: Yjq etgcvgf vjg ecguct ucncf?
- 8 Sport Data: Can mathematics help you win?
- 9 Optimisation: When does mo' roads mean mo' travellin'?
- 10 City Calculations: Mathtropolis: can gherkins solve a wind problem?
- 11 Networks: Why do my friends have more friends than me?
- 12 Fraud: What is the universe's favourite number?
- Conclusion: Man vs Mathematics vs The World
- Bonus Mathematics!
- Acknowledgements
- Index
- Copyright Page
