 |
|
|
Item Details
| Title:
|
MATHEMATICS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
NOTES ON COGNITIVE ASPECTS OF MATHEMATICAL PRACTICE |
| By: |
Alexandre V. Borovik |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| List price:
|
£66.00 |
|
We believe that this item is permanently unavailable, and so we cannot source
it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ISBN 10: |
0821847619 |
| ISBN 13: |
9780821847619 |
| Publisher: |
AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY |
| Pub. date: |
1 December, 2009 |
| Edition: |
New ed. |
| Series: |
Monograph Book 71 |
| Pages: |
331 |
| Description: |
Discusses, from a working mathematician's point of view, the mystery of mathematical intuition: Why are certain mathematical concepts more intuitive than others? And to what extent does the 'small scale' structure of mathematical concepts and algorithms reflect the workings of the human brain? |
| Synopsis: |
The author's goal is to start a dialogue between mathematicians and cognitive scientists. He discusses, from a working mathematician's point of view, the mystery of mathematical intuition: why are certain mathematical concepts more intuitive than others? To what extent does the 'small scale' structure of mathematical concepts and algorithms reflect the workings of the human brain? What are the ""elementary particles"" of mathematics that build up the mathematical universe? The book is saturated with amusing examples from a wide range of disciplines - from turbulence to error-correcting codes to logic - as well as with just puzzles and brainteasers. Despite the very serious subject matter, the author's approach is lighthearted and entertaining. This is an unusual and unusually fascinating book. Readers who never thought about mathematics after their school years will be amazed to discover how many habits of mind, ideas, and even material objects that are inherently mathematical serve as building blocks of our civilization and everyday life.A professional mathematician, reluctantly breaking the daily routine, or pondering on some resisting problem, will open this book and enjoy a sudden return to his or her young days when mathematics was fresh, exciting, and holding all promises. 'And do not take the word 'microscope' in the title too literally: in fact, the author looks around, in time and space, focusing in turn on a tremendous variety of motives, from mathematical 'memes' (genes of culture) to an unusual life of a Hollywood star' - Yuri I. Manin, Max-Planck Institute of Mathematics, Bonn, and Northwestern University. |
| Illustrations: |
Illustrations |
| Publication: |
US |
| Imprint: |
American Mathematical Society |
| Returns: |
Returnable |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
No Cheese, Please!
A fun picture book for children with food allergies - full of friendship and super-cute characters!Little Mo the mouse is having a birthday party.
|
My Brother Is a Superhero
Luke is massively annoyed about this, but when Zack is kidnapped by his arch-nemesis, Luke and his friends have only five days to find him and save the world...
|
|
|
|
|