Why Does Math Work … If It's Not Real?
Episodes in Unreasonable Effectiveness

A series of fascinating, and often humorous, stories that seek to explore why ancient mathematics is applicable to modern technology.

Dragan Radulovi? (Author)

9781316511923, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 June 2023

200 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 1.6 cm, 0.39 kg

According to G. H. Hardy, the 'real' mathematics of the greats like Fermat and Euler is 'useless,' and thus the work of mathematicians should not be judged on its applicability to real-world problems. Yet, mysteriously, much of mathematics used in modern science and technology was derived from this 'useless' mathematics. Mobile phone technology is based on trig functions, which were invented centuries ago. Newton observed that the Earth's orbit is an ellipse, a curve discovered by ancient Greeks in their futile attempt to double the cube. It is like some magic hand had guided the ancient mathematicians so their formulas were perfectly fitted for the sophisticated technology of today. Using anecdotes and witty storytelling, this book explores that mystery. Through a series of fascinating stories of mathematical effectiveness, including Planck's discovery of quanta, mathematically curious readers will get a sense of how mathematicians develop their concepts.

Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I. Rare Axioms
1. Introducing the Mystery
2. On Classical Mathematics
3. On Modern Physics
Intermezzo: What Have We Learned?
4. On Computer Games
5. On Mathematical Logic
6. On Postulates and Axioms
Part II. The Oracle
7. Introducing the Oracle
8. On Probability
9. The Oracle, Its Majesty
Epilogue: The Eternal Blueprint
Post Scriptum: On Mathematical Grand Design
Appendix
Recommended Reading
Index.

Subject Areas: Mathematics [PB]