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17 Equations that Changed the World
by
Ian Stewart
Ian Stewart shows how equations open new vistas of experience, from electronics and global communications to radar, lasers, spacecraft and the atom bomb. An account of 17 extraordinary equations.
Paperback, 342 pages
Published
February 9th 2012
by Profile Books
(first published January 1st 2012)
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May 31, 2012
Converse
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mathematics,
non-fiction
Not every chapter in the British mathematician's latest book is actually about an equation, but most of them are. He covers Pythagora's theorem (the one about the sides of a triangle), logarithms, calculus, Newton's law of gravity, complex numbers, the relationship discovered by the Swiss mathematician Euler regarding the number of sides and vertices of polyhedra, the normal distribution (the bell curve), the equation used to describe waves, fluid mootion (Navier-Stokes equation) and electromagn...more
There's been a trend for a couple of years in popular science to produce 'n greatest ideas' type books, the written equivalent of those interminable '50 best musicals' or '100 favourite comedy moments' or whatever shows that certain TV companies churn out. Now it has come to popular maths in the form of Ian Stewart's 17 Equations that Changed the World.
Stewart is a prolific writer - according to the accompanying bumf he has authored more than 80 books, which is quite an oeuvre. That can't be bad...more
Stewart is a prolific writer - according to the accompanying bumf he has authored more than 80 books, which is quite an oeuvre. That can't be bad...more
Complex yet still remaining accessible to someone who has a cursory understanding of math (I only got as far as Calc 1, and it has made understanding utility of something like Log so much more comprehensible now). The book, however, would probably get tough fast for anyone who is not either super into math already, or who has very fleeting experiences with its more advanced subjects.
The last chapter itself though is probably more than worth the reading of this book (the equation that many financ...more
The last chapter itself though is probably more than worth the reading of this book (the equation that many financ...more
"Neglect of mathematics works injury to all knowledge, since he who is ignorant of it cannot know the other sciences or the things of the world" - Roger Bacon
If there ever was a book I wished I read earlier - this has to be it. If Ian Stewart had published this book pre-2003, maybe I wouldn't have skipped so many lectures after booze-induced somnolence.
Ian does justice covering 17 of the greatest mathematical equations responsible for mankind's progress. He starts off with Pythagoras..a^2 + b^2...more
If there ever was a book I wished I read earlier - this has to be it. If Ian Stewart had published this book pre-2003, maybe I wouldn't have skipped so many lectures after booze-induced somnolence.
Ian does justice covering 17 of the greatest mathematical equations responsible for mankind's progress. He starts off with Pythagoras..a^2 + b^2...more
I found elements of the book very interesting but overall it gets lost in the details. It's a bit of non-fiction meets textbook (I understand most textbooks are inherently non-fiction as well) but not really enough discussion and thesis development to accommodate a complete book in the non-fiction genre and the math is too general to fit in as a refined textbook.
The early chapters are quite developed presenting both the important mathematics and a discussion of the relevance of the equations in...more
The early chapters are quite developed presenting both the important mathematics and a discussion of the relevance of the equations in...more
A pretty fun book that looks at math through the lens of 17 different equations. Nice mix of pop history and some medium-depth theory. It's interesting to see how the equations tied into larger stories of history, science, culture, tech, etc. Each chapter covers a single equation and stands alone. Not all chapters are as good as others. For example the Schrodinger's equation and Black-Scholes equation are not as good as Newton's universal law of gravity or the wave equation. I thought it was ver...more
I have to confess I found some of the maths in this hard work and would not want to take a test on it now! But to focus on this as if it is just a text book is too miss the point. Even if you went through the entire book and did not get any of the maths you would still learn a great deal about how maths has changed the world and our history of understanding our universe (and how much further we have to go!). You also come away with a fantastic appreciation of how much maths goes into the things...more
While I enjoyed the description of many of the key equations covered, I did not find them well laid out. Either too great an understanding was assumed or too little. My major concern with the book arose in the final equation chapter where the author covers the black scholes equation and blames the financial crisis on the use of derivatives in a blanket manner. The arguments suggest a lack of understanding of fundamental economic theory particularly with regard to the need for derivatives in prov...more
I just love mathematics - but, alas, it's too difficult to fully understand and appreciate. Poor education in school, perhaps. When I get to things like Maxwell's equations, or Navier-Stokes equation, I just drop. But Ian Stewart is not to blame, oh no. He really does is best, and he is perhaps the most enjoyable regular visitor in Melvyn Bragg's In Our Time. Anyone interested in the financial crisis should read the last chapter on Black-Scholes equation.
While he does sometimes go a bit off-track I found the majority of the book to be very interesting. Stewart tries to encompass all aspects of the equations: who came up with it, how they did so, what it means, how it has changed the world, etc. This makes for a bit of a bit of a bumpy ride at times but I enjoyed most parts of the book. I especially liked the last chapter on derivatives that mixed it up a bit.
This is an excellent, excellent book. I am notoriously deficient in math, but this book works even for me. I mean, I use math all the time, and benefit from the effects of the noted equations upon the real world. And since my boy is keen on the maths, it would good backgrounding for me.
The book gives a good insight into the areas it discusses, and is enjoyable to those with previous knowledge and rookies; but often repeats itself and succumbs to poor writing style which makes it difficult to really enjoy. Also the author really likes to share his hatred of bankers, but then again, who doesn't?
i just couldn't do it. i renewed it a total of 10 (or was it 11) times from the library but couldn't finish it. i'm an engineer and a dork. guess i prefer my math without kitsch, pedantry, or pseudo-classicism.
A very clear and interesting text. Stewart knows to tell some interesting new things about even the most well known equations. A good read for everyone (no higher math than high school is required).
Nov 25, 2012
Dale
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mathematics,
nonfiction
Stewart doesn't shy away from the mathematics of the equations in this book, but neither does he try to give you the background you would need to understand them: this is reasonable since there's pretty big mathematics behind some of them (Maxwell's equations, for example, or Fourier transforms and the wave equation). But he does explain the significance of each one, and then talks about the impact of that equation on subsequent physics, math, and society.
A great collection of great equations. A lot of beauty of mathematics entwined with charisma of physics spill here and there throughout the book. Suggested for physics/math enthusiast.
A.well written and engaging introduction to 17 equations that changed the world. The math can be deep but Stewart makes it quite accessible. Best parts are the connections to our day to day world that depend on the deep realms of math he explores.
A good read. Am skipping many chapters. But will go back later and see if I can follow them.
Great book..an in depth analysis of the 17 formulas which have shaped our lives.......
So far (topology), I'm hooked. It's a great read.
This text is difficult to follow for those unversed in Mathematics, but it is also an intriguing read and learning opportunity.
Very well written and interesting.
You lost me at calculus!
Enlightening, especially the Black-Scholes equation and Navier-Stokes.
Fascinating.
A very enjoyable read about 17 equations that changed the world. What is fascinating is that it's not just about the equations but also about their impact in the sciences and on our everyday life. A proper historical background is given for each case together with an explanation of the problems that scientists were trying to solve when they came up with each equation.
A suggestion both for people with no connections to sciences and also for people who deal with such equations on a daily basis
A suggestion both for people with no connections to sciences and also for people who deal with such equations on a daily basis
Fascinating!
The author is a very good writer who tells stories and presents information in a logical and understandable order. He does a great job at showing the outcomes of using various mathematical formulas in our modern world, from digital photos to radio to economics. My knowledge was expanded as I had not encountered all of the equations during my formal education, and I must admit that some information went right over my head!
The author is a very good writer who tells stories and presents information in a logical and understandable order. He does a great job at showing the outcomes of using various mathematical formulas in our modern world, from digital photos to radio to economics. My knowledge was expanded as I had not encountered all of the equations during my formal education, and I must admit that some information went right over my head!
The first book of mathematics I've had the chance to read for enjoyment, not for class or for tutoring. Very enlightening to understand the necessity of the invention of each formula. Have read about Pythagoras' theorem, and logarithms. Now on to differentials and Calculus!
Nov 28, 2012
Mills College Library
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
november-2012,
physics-new-books
511.326 S8497 2012
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Ian Stewart is an Emeritus Professor and Digital Media Fellow in the Mathematics Department at Warwick University, with special responsibility for public awareness of mathematics and science. He is best known for his popular science writing on mathematical themes.
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors wit...more
More about Ian Stewart...
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors wit...more
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