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What's the Use?
The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics
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Format: Paperback / softback
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See moreA bestselling author tries to rehabilitate a much-maligned field.
A bestselling author tries to rehabilitate a much-maligned field
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Description
'Stewart is Britain's most brilliant and prolific populariser of maths' - Alex Bellos
'The instructive equivalent of a Michelin-starred tasting menu' - Tim Radford
Many people think mathematics is useless. They're wrong. In the UK, the 2.8 million people employed in mathematical science occupations contributed £208 billion to the economy in a single year - that's 10 per cent of the workforce contributing 16 per cent of the economy.
What's the Use? asks why there is such a vast gulf between public perceptions of mathematics and reality. It shows how mathematics is vital, often in surprising ways, behind the scenes of daily life. How politicians pick their voters. How an absurd little puzzle solved 300 years ago leads to efficient methods for kidney transplants. And how a bizarre, infinitely wiggly curve helps to optimise deliveries to your door.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
What's the Use? by Professor Ian Stewart is lauded for its blend of pure and applied mathematics, engaging storytelling, and clarity in explaining complex concepts. The book is celebrated for being both humbling and inspiring while illustrating the transformative power of mathematical thought over centuries. Reviewers praise Stewart's wit, wisdom, and captivating narrative, making the subject accessible and fascinating for readers.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781781259429
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 04 August 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Profile Books Ltd
Edition: Main
Illustration: c. 40 line
Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 260g
Pages: 336
About the Author
Ian Stewart is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the University of Warwick and the author of the bestseller Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities. His recent books include Do Dice Play God?, Significant Figures, Incredible Numbers and Seventeen Equations that Changed the World (all published by Profile). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Also by Professor Ian Stewart
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What's the Use?
What's the Use? asks why there is such a vast gulf between public perceptions of mathematics and reality. It shows how mathematics is vital, often in surprising ways, behind the scenes of daily life. How politicians pick their voters. How an absurd little puzzle solved 300 years ago leads to efficient methods for kidney transplants. How an Irish mathematician's obsession...Paperback$3299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Reaching for the Extreme
From the bestselling author of Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities 'Britain's most brilliant and prolific populariser of maths' ALEX BELLOS What is the maximum land you can enclose inside a given border? What is the minimum number of colours you can use to colour in a map so that no region shares a shade? And how do you calculate...Hardback$5500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Do Dice Play God?
Uncertainty is everywhere. It lurks in every consideration of the future— the weather, the economy, the sex of an unborn child— even quantities we think that we know, such as populations or the transit of the planets, contain the possibility of error. It's no wonder that, throughout history, we have attempted to produce rigidly defined areas of uncertainty—we prefer the...PaperbackSold Out -
Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities
School maths is not the interesting part. The real fun is elsewhere. Like a magpie, Ian Stewart has collected the most enlightening, entertaining and vexing 'curiosities' of maths over the years. Now, the private collection is displayed in his cabinet. There are some hidden gems of logic, geometry and probability – like how to extract a cherry from a cocktail...PaperbackSold Out
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