{"product_id":"why-does-math-work-if-its-not-real-episodes-in-unreasonable-effectiveness-hardback-9781316511923","title":"Why Does Math Work … If It's Not Real?; Episodes in Unreasonable Effectiveness (Hardback) 9781316511923","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eWhy Does Math Work … If It's Not Real?\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eEpisodes in Unreasonable Effectiveness\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA series of fascinating, and often humorous, stories that seek to explore why ancient mathematics is applicable to modern technology.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eDragan Radulovi? (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9781316511923, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eHardback, published 8 June 2023\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e200 pages\u003cbr\u003e23.5 x 15.8 x 1.6 cm, 0.39 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eAccording 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.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003e Acknowledgements\u003cbr\u003e Part I. Rare Axioms\u003cbr\u003e 1. Introducing the Mystery\u003cbr\u003e 2. On Classical Mathematics\u003cbr\u003e 3. On Modern Physics\u003cbr\u003e Intermezzo: What Have We Learned?\u003cbr\u003e 4. On Computer Games\u003cbr\u003e 5. On Mathematical Logic\u003cbr\u003e 6. On Postulates and Axioms\u003cbr\u003e Part II. The Oracle\u003cbr\u003e 7. Introducing the Oracle\u003cbr\u003e 8. On Probability\u003cbr\u003e 9. The Oracle, Its Majesty\u003cbr\u003e Epilogue: The Eternal Blueprint\u003cbr\u003e Post Scriptum: On Mathematical Grand Design\u003cbr\u003e Appendix\u003cbr\u003e Recommended Reading\u003cbr\u003e Index.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Mathematics [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Mathematics\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Mathematics%20%5BPB%5D%22\"\u003ePB\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46266464436504,"sku":"9781316511923","price":40.66,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9781316511923i.jpg?v=1696681607","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/why-does-math-work-if-its-not-real-episodes-in-unreasonable-effectiveness-hardback-9781316511923","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}