About this title: This fascinating exploration of the great discoveries of history's most important mathematicians seeks an answer to the eternal question: Does mathematics hold the key to understanding the mysteries of the physical world? Illustrations throughout.
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Description: New. 074329405X New from the publisher-has remainder mark. Ships within 1 business day. Your 100% satisfaction is our guarantee! read more
Description: Fine. 074329405X Ships next business day. NEW/UNREAD! ! ! Text is Clean and Unmarked! --Be Sure to Compare Seller Feedback and Ratings before Purchasing--Has a small black line on bottom/exterior edge of pages. May have light shelf wear to cover from storage, if any. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780743294058ISBN:074329405X
Description: Very good in very good dust jacket. Like new. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. With dust jacket. 308 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009-01-06
ISBN-13:9780743294058ISBN:074329405X
Description: NEW. Hardcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780743294058. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780743294058ISBN:074329405X
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780743294058ISBN:074329405X
Description: New. No dust jacket as issued. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. With dust jacket. 308 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780743294058ISBN:074329405X
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. With dust jacket. 308 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780743294058ISBN:074329405X
Description: New. This fascinating exploration of the great discoveries of history's most important mathematicians seeks an answer to the eternal question: Does mathematics hold the key to understanding the mysteries of the physical world? Illustrations throughout. read more
"Livio's real question isn't the one of the title. What he is trying to answer is whether math, with its abstract concepts that, incredibly, fit empirical data, is discovered or invented. Either way, there could be a god (if we don't rely on empirical data)--one who created the universe in mathematical terms, or one who gave us the creative power to develop mathematical terms that explain the universe. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Livio's answer is that the question is off the mark. It is not an either/or proposition. As with the nature versus nurture debate, truth is found when the 'versus' is changed to an 'and.' In a clear and simple example, Livio notes that humans discovered they could quantify the concrete aggregation of physical objects--white and black pebbles in a vase, and they invented abstract numerical symbols to represent different aggregations--4 white pebbles and 7 black pebbles for a total of 11. As he traverses the winding path of Wigner's enigma (the 'unreasonable effectiveness' of mathematics), Livio gives the reader a beautifully written capsule history of great mathematical thinkers, from Pythagoras to Einstein and beyond."
"I have to agree with a previous reviewer that this is more of a history of mathematics book. I was hoping for more examples of the fit between mathematics and the physical world. The book is really about whether mathematics is invented or discovered and the answer is basically "yes".
I would definitely recommend this well-written book for those interested in this field."
"I went and saw the author give a talk on the book at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore and I think I enjoy hearing him in person more than I enjoy reading him. Regardless, as a math teacher it was interesting to get some perspective on the question of whether math is truth that we discover or whether it is just a man made system."
"I read a review of this in the Post and thought this sounded fascinating, but it was pretty disappointing and misleading. It more a history of mathematics and less an exploration of the laws of math in nature/the universe."
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