Book picks similar to
What do an Infinite Tower, a Classic Physics Puzzle, and Coin Flipping Have in Common? by Presh Talwalkar
mathematics
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matematica-ricreativa
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Schaum's Outline of Complex Variables
Murray R. Spiegel - 1968
Contains 640 problems including solutions; additional practice problems with answers; explanations of complex variable theory; coverage of applications of complex variables in engineering, physics, and elsewhere, with accompanying sample problems and solutions.
Introduction to Modern Optics
Grant R. Fowles - 1968
The first half of the book deals with classical physical optics; the second principally with the quantum nature of light. Chapters 1 and 2 treat the propagation of light waves, including the concepts of phase and group velocities, and the vectorial nature of light. Chapter 3 applies the concepts of partial coherence and coherence length to the study of interference, and Chapter 4 takes up multiple-beam interference and includes Fabry-Perot interferometry and multilayer-film theory. Diffraction and holography are the subjects of Chapter 5, and the propagation of light in material media (including crystal and nonlinear optics) are central to Chapter 6. Chapters 7 and 8 introduce the quantum theory of light and elementary optical spectra, and Chapter 9 explores the theory of light amplification and lasers. Chapter 10 briefly outlines ray optics in order to introduce students to the matrix method for treating optical systems and to apply the ray matrix to the study of laser resonators.Many applications of the laser to the study of optics are integrated throughout the text. The author assumes students have had an intermediate course in electricity and magnetism and some advanced mathematics beyond calculus. For classroom use, a list of problems is included at the end of each chapter, with selected answers at the end of the book.
An Imaginary Tale: The Story of the Square Root of Minus One
Paul J. Nahin - 1998
Addressing readers with both a general and scholarly interest in mathematics, Nahin weaves into this narrative entertaining historical facts, mathematical discussions, and the application of complex numbers and functions to important problems.
Differential Geometry
Erwin Kreyszig - 1991
With problems and solutions. Includes 99 illustrations.
Unknown Quantity: A Real and Imaginary History of Algebra
John Derbyshire - 2006
As he did so masterfully in Prime Obsession, Derbyshire brings the evolution of mathematical thinking to dramatic life by focusing on the key historical players. Unknown Quantity begins in the time of Abraham and Isaac and moves from Abel's proof to the higher levels of abstraction developed by Galois through modern-day advances. Derbyshire explains how a simple turn of thought from this plus this equals this to this plus what equals this? gave birth to a whole new way of perceiving the world. With a historian's narrative authority and a beloved teacher's clarity and passion, Derbyshire leads readers on an intellectually satisfying and pleasantly challenging historical and mathematical journey.
The Math Book: From Pythagoras to the 57th Dimension, 250 Milestones in the History of Mathematics
Clifford A. Pickover - 2009
Beginning millions of years ago with ancient “ant odometers” and moving through time to our modern-day quest for new dimensions, it covers 250 milestones in mathematical history. Among the numerous delights readers will learn about as they dip into this inviting anthology: cicada-generated prime numbers, magic squares from centuries ago, the discovery of pi and calculus, and the butterfly effect. Each topic gets a lavishly illustrated spread with stunning color art, along with formulas and concepts, fascinating facts about scientists’ lives, and real-world applications of the theorems.
The Grapes of Math: How Life Reflects Numbers and Numbers Reflect Life
Alex Bellos - 2014
He sifts through over 30,000 survey submissions to uncover the world’s favourite number, and meets a mathematician who looks for universes in his garage. He attends the World Mathematical Congress in India, and visits the engineer who designed the first roller-coaster loop. Get hooked on math as Alex delves deep into humankind’s turbulent relationship with numbers, and reveals how they have shaped the world we live in.
Woo's Wonderful World of Maths
Eddie Woo - 2018
Maths is about patterns, and our universe is extraordinarily patterned. With enthusiasm and wonder, Eddie is here to help us discover these patterns.With engaging clarity and entertaining anecdotes, Eddie demonstrates the intricacy of maths in all the things we love - from music in our iPods to our credit cards. Filled with humour and heart, this book will fascinate, entertain and illuminate the maths that surrounds us.
Math for Grownups
Laura Laing - 2011
You multiply something by something, right? Or you're scratching your head, wondering how to compute the odds that your football team will take next Sunday's game. You're pretty sure that involved ratios. The problem is, you can't quite remember.Here you get an adult refresher and real-life context—with examples ranging from how to figure out how many shingles it takes to re-roof the garage to the formula for resizing Mom's tomato sauce recipe for your entire family.Forget higher calculus—you just need an open mind. And with this practical guide, math can stop being scary and start being useful.
Gamma: Exploring Euler's Constant
Julian Havil - 2003
Following closely behind is y, or gamma, a constant that arises in many mathematical areas yet maintains a profound sense of mystery. In a tantalizing blend of history and mathematics, Julian Havil takes the reader on a journey through logarithms and the harmonic series, the two defining elements of gamma, toward the first account of gamma's place in mathematics. Introduced by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler (1707-1783), who figures prominently in this book, gamma is defined as the limit of the sum of 1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + . . . Up to 1/n, minus the natural logarithm of n--the numerical value being 0.5772156. . . . But unlike its more celebrated colleagues π and e, the exact nature of gamma remains a mystery--we don't even know if gamma can be expressed as a fraction. Among the numerous topics that arise during this historical odyssey into fundamental mathematical ideas are the Prime Number Theorem and the most important open problem in mathematics today--the Riemann Hypothesis (though no proof of either is offered!). Sure to be popular with not only students and instructors but all math aficionados, Gamma takes us through countries, centuries, lives, and works, unfolding along the way the stories of some remarkable mathematics from some remarkable mathematicians.-- "Notices of the American Mathematical Society"
Linear Algebra
Kenneth M. Hoffman - 1971
Linear Equations; Vector Spaces; Linear Transformations; Polynomials; Determinants; Elementary canonical Forms; Rational and Jordan Forms; Inner Product Spaces; Operators on Inner Product Spaces; Bilinear Forms For all readers interested in linear algebra.
A Numerate Life: A Mathematician Explores the Vagaries of Life, His Own and Probably Yours
John Allen Paulos - 2015
These vignettes serve as springboards to many telling perspectives: simple arithmetic puts life-long habits in a dubious new light; higher dimensional geometry helps us see that we're all rather peculiar; nonlinear dynamics explains the narcissism of small differences cascading into very different siblings; logarithms and exponentials yield insight on why we tend to become bored and jaded as we age; and there are tricks and jokes, probability and coincidences, and much more.For fans of Paulos or newcomers to his work, this witty commentary on his life--and yours--is fascinating reading.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Statistics for Management
Richard I. Levin - 1978
Like its predecessors, the seventh edition includes the absolute minimum of mathematical/statistical notation necessary to teach the material. Concepts are fully explained in simple, easy-to-understand language as they are presented, making the book an excellent source from which to learn and teach. After each discussion, readers are guided through real-world examples to show how book principles work in professional practice. Includes easy-to-understand explanations of difficult statistical topics, such as sampling distributions, relationship between confidence level and confidence interval, interpreting r-square. A complete package of teaching/learning aids is provided in every chapter, including chapter review exercises, chapter concepts tests,"Statistics at Work" conceptual cases, "Computer Database Exercises," "From the Textbook to the Real-World Examples." This ISBN is in two volumes Part A and Part B.