false 1244856 1 <p> Symmetry is all around us. Our eyes and minds are drawn to symmetrical objects, from the pyramid to the pentagon. Of fundamental significance to the way we interpret the world, this unique, pervasive phenomenon indicates a dynamic relationship between objects. In chemistry and physics, the concept of symmetry explains the structure of crystals or the theory of fundamental particles; in evolutionary biology, the natural world exploits symmetry in the fight for survival; and symmetry&#8212;and the breaking of it&#8212;is central to ideas in art, architecture, and music. </p> <p> Combining a rich historical narrative with his own personal journey as a mathematician, Marcus du Sautoy takes a unique look into the mathematical mind as he explores deep conjectures about symmetry and brings us face-to-face with the oddball mathematicians, both past and present, who have battled to understand symmetry's elusive qualities. He explores what is perhaps the most exciting discovery to date&#8212;the summit of mathematicians' mastery in the field&#8212;the Monster, a huge snowflake that exists in 196,883-dimensional space with more symmetries than there are atoms in the sun. </p> <p> What is it like to solve an ancient mathematical problem in a flash of inspiration? What is it like to be shown, ten minutes later, that you've made a mistake? What is it like to see the world in mathematical terms, and what can that tell us about life itself? In <i>Symmetry</i>, Marcus du Sautoy investigates these questions and shows mathematical novices what it feels like to grapple with some of the most complex ideas the human mind can comprehend. </p> 1233571 1 3 2008 Symmetry: A Journey into the Patterns of Nature total:28|5:11|4:8|3:7|2:2|1:0| 28 112 87 7 0 0 false false Wed Aug 05 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon Aug 03 10:22:48 -0700 2009 Wed Aug 05 14:00:14 -0700 2009 more...]]> 5 0 false false Sun Jul 05 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Sun Jul 05 10:25:53 -0700 2009 Sun Jul 05 10:40:25 -0700 2009 more...]]> 3 0 false false Sun Mar 15 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon Feb 02 07:43:39 -0800 2009 Mon Mar 16 08:59:49 -0700 2009 more...]]> 4 0 false false Thu Jul 17 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Mon Mar 16 20:07:24 -0700 2009 Mon Mar 16 20:15:34 -0700 2009 more...]]> 2 0 false false Sun Jun 29 10:19:56 -0700 2008 Sun Jun 29 10:24:08 -0700 2008 more...]]> 3 0 false false Wed Jun 11 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Sat Jun 07 20:52:08 -0700 2008 Wed Jun 11 11:42:31 -0700 2008 5 0 false false Sun Mar 16 11:24:55 -0700 2008 Sun Mar 16 11:27:28 -0700 2008 0 0 false false Fri Nov 06 21:17:53 -0800 2009 Fri Nov 06 21:17:53 -0800 2009 2 0 false false Thu Oct 22 00:38:53 -0700 2009 Thu Oct 22 00:38:53 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Sun Sep 27 12:16:20 -0700 2009 Sun Sep 27 12:16:20 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Sun Sep 13 22:33:34 -0700 2009 Sun Sep 13 22:33:40 -0700 2009 4 0 false false Tue Sep 01 08:40:59 -0700 2009 Tue Sep 01 08:40:59 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Thu Aug 27 14:09:16 -0700 2009 Thu Aug 27 14:09:16 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Wed Aug 26 09:45:13 -0700 2009 Wed Aug 26 09:45:13 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Wed Aug 26 00:08:16 -0700 2009 Wed Aug 26 00:08:16 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Sat Aug 22 03:08:53 -0700 2009 Sat Aug 22 03:08:53 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Sun Jul 12 16:22:44 -0700 2009 Sun Jul 12 16:22:44 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Thu Jul 02 18:33:47 -0700 2009 Thu Jul 02 18:33:47 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Sun Jun 28 17:07:32 -0700 2009 Sun Jun 28 17:07:32 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Thu Jun 11 17:11:47 -0700 2009 Thu Jun 11 17:11:49 -0700 2009 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=1244856