The joy of X a guided tour of math, from one to infinity

"In 2010, award-winning professor Steven wrote a series for the New York Times online called "The Elements of Math." It was hugely popular: Each piece climbed the most emailed list and elicited hundreds of comments. Readers begged for more, and has now delivered. In this fun, fast-pac...

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Main Author: Strogatz, Steven H.
Format: Books Print Book
Language: English
Published: Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, c2012.
Subjects:
Summary: "In 2010, award-winning professor Steven wrote a series for the New York Times online called "The Elements of Math." It was hugely popular: Each piece climbed the most emailed list and elicited hundreds of comments. Readers begged for more, and has now delivered. In this fun, fast-paced book, he offers us all a second chance at math. Each short chapter of The Joy of X provides an "Aha!" moment, starting with why numbers are helpful, and moving on to such topics as shapes, calculus, fat tails, and infinity. explains the ideas of math gently and clearly, with wit, insight, and brilliant illustrations. Assuming no knowledge, only curiosity, he shows how math connects to literature, philosophy, law, medicine, art, business, even pop culture and current events. For example, did O.J. do it? How should you flip your mattress to get the maximum wear out of it? How does Google search the Internet? How many people should you date before settling down? is the math teacher you wish you'd had, and The Joy of X is the book you'll want to give to all your smart and curious friends. "--
Physical Description: xii, 316 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.
Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: 9780547517650 (hardback)
0547517653 (hardback)
Author Notes: Steven Strogatz is a professor of applied mathematics at Cornell University. A renowned teacher and one of the world's most highly cited mathematicians, he blogs about math for the  New York Times  and been a frequent guest on National Public Radio's  RadioLab.  In 2007 he received the Communications Award, a lifetime achievement award for the communication of mathematics to the general public. He lives in Ithaca, New York with his wife and two daughters.