The Universe in Zero Words
The Universe in Zero Words

Author: Dana Mackenzie

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2013-08-25

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 0691160163

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Most popular books about science, and even about mathematics, tiptoe around equations as if they were something to be hidden from the reader's tender eyes. Dana Mackenzie starts from the opposite premise: He celebrates equations. No history of art would be complete without pictures. Why, then, should a history of mathematics--the universal language of science--keep the masterpieces of the subject hidden behind a veil? The Universe in Zero Words tells the history of twenty-four great and beautiful equations that have shaped mathematics, science, and society--from the elementary (1+1=2) to the sophisticated (the Black-Scholes formula for financial derivatives), and from the famous (E=mc2) to the arcane (Hamilton's quaternion equations). Mackenzie, who has been called "a popular-science ace" by Booklist magazine, lucidly explains what each equation means, who discovered it (and how), and how it has affected our lives. Illustrated in color throughout, the book tells the human and often-surprising stories behind the invention or discovery of the equations, from how a bad cigar changed the course of quantum mechanics to why whales (if they could communicate with us) would teach us a totally different concept of geometry. At the same time, the book shows why these equations have something timeless to say about the universe, and how they do it with an economy (zero words) that no other form of human expression can match. The Universe in Zero Words is the ultimate introduction and guide to equations that have changed the world.

The Big Splat, or How Our Moon Came to Be
The Big Splat, or How Our Moon Came to Be

Author: Dana Mackenzie

Publisher: Turner Publishing Company

Published: 2008-05-02

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 0470348836

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The first popular book to explain the dramatic theory behind the Moon's genesis This lively science history relates one of the great recent breakthroughs in planetary astronomy-a successful theory of the birth of the Moon. Science journalist Dana Mackenzie traces the evolution of this theory, one little known outside the scientific community: a Mars-sized object collided with Earth some four billion years ago, and the remains of this colossal explosion-the Big Splat-came together to form the Moon. Beginning with notions of the Moon in ancient cosmologies, Mackenzie relates the fascinating history of lunar speculation, moving from Galileo and Kepler to George Darwin (son of Charles) and the Apollo astronauts, whose trips to the lunar surface helped solve one of the most enigmatic mysteries of the night sky: who hung the Moon? Dana Mackenzie (Santa Cruz, CA) is a freelance science journalist. His articles have appeared in such magazines as Science, Discover, American Scientist, The Sciences, and New Scientist.

What's Happening in the Mathematical Sciences
What's Happening in the Mathematical Sciences

Author: Barry Cipra

Publisher: American Mathematical Soc.

Published:

Total Pages: 108

ISBN-13: 9780821890431

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Mathematicians like to point out that mathematics is universal. In spite of this, most people continue to view it as either mundane (balancing a checkbook) or mysterious (cryptography). This fifth volume of the What's Happening series contradicts that view by showing that mathematics is indeed found everywhere-in science, art, history, and our everyday lives. Here is some of what you'll find in this volume: Mathematics and Science Mathematical biology: Mathematics was key tocracking the genetic code. Now, new mathematics is needed to understand the three-dimensional structure of the proteins produced from that code. Celestial mechanics and cosmology: New methods have revealed a multitude of solutions to the three-body problem. And other new work may answer one of cosmology'smost fundamental questions: What is the size and shape of the universe? Mathematics and Everyday Life Traffic jams: New models are helping researchers understand where traffic jams come from-and maybe what to do about them! Small worlds: Researchers have found a short distance from theory to applications in the study of small world networks. Elegance in Mathematics Beyond Fermat's Last Theorem: Number theorists are reaching higher ground after Wiles' astounding 1994 proof: new developments inthe elegant world of elliptic curves and modular functions. The Millennium Prize Problems: The Clay Mathematics Institute has offered a million dollars for solutions to seven important and difficult unsolved problems. These are just some of the topics of current interest that are covered in thislatest volume of What's Happening in the Mathematical Sciences. The book has broad appeal for a wide spectrum of mathematicians and scientists, from high school students through advanced-level graduates and researchers.

Visualizing Geology
Visualizing Geology

Author: Barbara W. Murck

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2015-12-21

Total Pages: 546

ISBN-13: 1118996518

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The newly revised Fourth Edition of Visualizing Geology, WileyPLUS NextGen Card and Loose-leaf Set Single Semester delivers an authoritative and thorough exploration of introductory Earth system science and geology in the distinctive style of the Wiley Visualizing series. Students learn about the three grand geologic cycles – tectonic, rock, and water – and how they interact to create and shape the geologic features we see and experience. This single-semester loose-leaf set includes access to the renowned WileyPLUS NextGen digital learning environment, an indispensable pedagogical addition to any classroom.

Calculus
Calculus

Author: James Stewart

Publisher: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company

Published: 2006-12

Total Pages: 978

ISBN-13: 9780495393368

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Stewart's CALCULUS: CONCEPTS AND CONTEXTS, 3rd Edition focuses on major concepts and supports them with precise definitions, patient explanations, and carefully graded problems. Margin notes clarify and expand on topics presented in the body of the text. The Tools for Enriching Calculus CD-ROM contains visualizations, interactive modules, and homework hints that enrich your learning experience. iLrn Homework helps you identify where you need additional help, and Personal Tutor with SMARTHINKING gives you live, one-on-one online help from an experienced calculus tutor. In addition, the Interactive Video Skillbuilder CD-ROM takes you step-by-step through examples from the book. The new Enhanced Review Edition includes new practice tests with solutions, to give you additional help with mastering the concepts needed to succeed in the course.

Probability and Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences, Enhanced Review Edition
Probability and Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences, Enhanced Review Edition

Author: Jay Devore

Publisher: Cengage Learning

Published: 2008-01-29

Total Pages: 768

ISBN-13: 9780495557449

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This market-leading text provides a comprehensive introduction to probability and statistics for engineering students in all specialties. This proven, accurate book and its excellent examples evidence Jay Devore’s reputation as an outstanding author and leader in the academic community. Devore emphasizes concepts, models, methodology, and applications as opposed to rigorous mathematical development and derivations. Through the use of lively and realistic examples, students go beyond simply learning about statistics-they actually put the methods to use. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.