Steven Strogatz Pořadí knih

Beststeller w zestawieniu New York Timesa. Książka nominowana do nagrody Naukowa Książka Roku Royal Society za 2019 rok. Bez rachunku różniczkowego i całkowego nie mielibyśmy telefonów komórkowych, telewizji, nawigacji satelitarnej ani badań ultradźwiękami. Nie rozumielibyśmy DNA, nie odkryli Neptuna ani nie nosili pięciu tysięcy piosenek w kieszeniach. Potęga nieskończoności opowiada o tym, jak rachunek różniczkowy i całkowy kusił i zachwycał jego odkrywców, począwszy od swych pierwszych przebłysków w starożytnej Grecji, a kończąc na odkryciu fal grawitacyjnych (zjawiska przez niego przewidzianego). Strogatz ujawnia, jak ta postać matematyki potrafiła sprostać wyzwaniom każdej epoki: wyznaczyć pole koła korzystając jedynie z piasku i patyka; wyjaśnić, dlaczego Mars czasami idzie do tyłu; wytworzyć elektryczność za pomocą magnesu; zapewnić, aby rakieta nie ominęła Księżyca; odwrócić losy walki z AIDS. Wspaniała książka. Szereg inteligentnych i zdumiewających historii, które ukazują, jak rachunek różniczkowy i całkowy przyczynił się do powstania naszego współczesnego świata. The Washington Post

"Steven Strogatz's brilliantly creative, down-to-earth history shows that calculus is not about complexity; it's about simplicity. It harnesses an unreal number--infinity--to tackle real-world problems, breaking them down into easier ones and then reassembling the answers into solutions that feel miraculous. Infinite Powers recounts how calculus tantalized and thrilled its inventors, starting with its first glimmers in ancient Greece and bringing us right up to the discovery of gravitational waves (a phenomenon predicted by calculus). Strogatz reveals how this form of math rose to the challenges of each age: how to determine the area of a circle with only sand and a stick; how to explain why Mars goes "backwards" sometimes; how to make electricity with magnets; how to ensure your rocket doesn't miss the moon; how to turn the tide in the fight against AIDS. As Strogatz proves, calculus is truly the language of the universe. By unveiling the principles of that language, Infinite Powers makes us marvel at the world anew."--Publisher's description

A magisterial history of calculus (and the people behind it) from one of the world's foremost mathematicians.

Focusing on nonlinear dynamics and chaos, this textbook is designed for beginners, particularly students in their introductory course. It emphasizes analytical techniques, practical examples, and geometric understanding. The material is systematically organized, beginning with first-order differential equations and exploring their bifurcations, making complex concepts accessible to new learners.

A magisterial history of calculus (and the people behind it) from one of the world's foremost popularisers of mathematics, the author of The Joy of X.

How should you flip your mattress to get the maximum wear out of it? How many people should you date before settling down? How does Google search the internet? Why does the stock market swing so often, and so wildly? In this book, the author explains the great ideas of maths, from negative numbers to calculus, and fat tails to infinity.

Award-winning Steven Strogatz, one of the foremost popularisers of maths, has written a witty and fascinating account of maths' most compelling ideas and how, so often, they are an integral part of everyday life.

The story chronicles an extraordinary connection between a teacher and a student through over thirty years of letters. Their unique relationship is rooted in a shared passion for calculus, which serves as a constant in their lives amid change. The teacher transitions from a successful career to retirement, competes in international whitewater kayaking, and faces the loss of a son. Meanwhile, the student evolves from a high school math prodigy to an Ivy League professor, grappling with the sudden death of a parent and a troubled marriage. Throughout these challenges, they find solace in calculus—until it eventually proves insufficient. This narrative mirrors the essence of calculus itself, exploring themes of change and transformation as the student and teacher navigate life's complexities and reverse roles over time. Written by a celebrated mathematics educator, the work is warm, intimate, and deeply moving. It presents inspiring concepts of calculus, differential equations, and chaos theory through engaging metaphors and anecdotes, making it accessible to all readers. Math enthusiasts, from high school students to professionals, will appreciate the unique problems and clear explanations in their correspondence. For anyone influenced by a mentor, this journey will resonate profoundly.

Was veranlasst Tausende von Glühwürmchen an malaysischen Flüssen dazu, synchron zu blinken? Warum schwingen die Pendel zweier nahe beieinander stehender Uhren im selben Takt? Wie koordinieren Millionen von Gehirnzellen unsere Atmung oder erzeugen Bewusstsein? Diese Phänomene sind beeindruckende Beispiele für spontane Ordnung und Gleichzeitigkeit in unserer Welt. Das Streben nach Gleichklang, eine der geheimnisvollsten Kräfte der Natur, hat bedeutende Wissenschaftler des 20. Jahrhunderts, darunter Albert Einstein und Norbert Wiener, fasziniert. In den letzten zehn Jahren haben Forscher aus verschiedenen Disziplinen erkannt, dass die Auseinandersetzung mit Gleichzeitigkeit unser Wissen revolutionieren könnte – sei es über den Ursprung des Lebens oder die Entstehung des Bewusstseins. Steven Strogatz, ein Pionier der Wissenschaft des Synchronismus, gelingt es in seinem Werk, stilistisch brillante und anschauliche Wissenschaftsliteratur zu schaffen, ähnlich wie Brian Greenes Bestseller. Synchron vermittelt zudem eine Ahnung davon, wie unser Universum tatsächlich funktioniert.