From a zebra's stripes to a spider's web: an engaging examination of patterns in nature and the mathematics that underlie them.From a zebra's stripes to a spider's web, from sand dunes to snowflakes, nature is full of patterns underlaid by mathematical principles. In The Beauty of Numbers in Nature, Ian Stewart shows how life forms from the principles of mathematics. Each chapter in The Beauty of Numbers in Nature explores a different kind of patterning system and its mathematical underpinnings. In doing do, the book also uncovers some universal patterns—both in nature and made by humans—from the basic geometry of ancient Greece to the complexities of fractals.Stewart draws on a wide range of sources to examine the mathematics of patterns: the Pythagoreans' obsession with numbers as the philosophical basis of the universe; a great mathematician who wondered about how a violin makes music; a clerk in a patent office who realized that space and time can get mixed together; a maverick mathematician who questioned why nature spurns such regular geometric shapes as spheres and cylinders in favor of jagged lightning bolts, asymmetrically branching trees, and the uneven terrain of mountainsides.The book begins with a simple and often-asked question about the shape and individual uniqueness of snowflakes. How can such a strange mixture of regularity and irregularity exist in a tiny bit of frozen water? By the end of the book, readers will have learned that mathematical patterns can come in many guises, some of which don't resemble patterns at all.
Details e-book The Beauty of Numbers in Nature: Mathematical Patterns and Principles from the Natural World (The MIT Press)
🗸 Author(s): Ian Stewart
🗸 Title: The Beauty of Numbers in Nature: Mathematical Patterns and Principles from the Natural World (The MIT Press)
🗸 Rating : 4.4 from 5 stars (53 reviews)
🗸 ISBN-10: 0262534282
🗸 ISBN-13: 9780262534284
🗸 Languange: English
🗸 Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
🗸 Supported Devices: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
✓ Read as many eBooks you want!
✓ Secure Scanned. No Virus Detected
✓ Thousands of eBooks to choose from - Hottest new releases
✓ Click it and Read it! - no waiting to read eBooks, it's instant!
✓ Keep reading your favorite eBooks over and over!
✓ It works anywhere in the world!
✓ No late fees or fixed contracts - cancel anytime!
Readers' opinions about The Beauty of Numbers in Nature: Mathematical Patterns and Principles from the Natural World (The MIT Press) by Ian Stewart
Colliss Hussain
This comprehensive guide to personal finance offers practical advice and actionable strategies for achieving financial freedom. From budgeting and saving to investing and retirement planning, the author covers all the essential topics needed to build wealth and secure a stable financial future. Accessible and informative, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to take control of their finances.
Keira Hunt
Delve into the pages of this engrossing historical fiction novel, where the past comes alive in vivid detail. Set against the backdrop of a bygone era, the story follows the lives of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events. With its richly drawn characters and immersive storytelling, this book offers a glimpse into a world long gone but not forgotten.
Joice Metcalfe
Dive into a world of magic and mystery with this enchanting fantasy novel, where mythical creatures and ancient prophecies collide in an epic battle for survival. As darkness descends upon the land, a young hero must rise to fulfill his destiny and save the kingdom from destruction. With its richly imagined world and compelling characters, this book is sure to transport readers to a realm of wonder and adventure.
