Bigger than chaos : understanding complexity through probability / Michael Strevens.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Strevens, Michael.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Probabilities.

Physical Description:

xii, 413 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 2003.

Summary:

Many complex systems--from immensely complicated ecosystems to minute assemblages of molecules--surprise us with their simple behavior. Consider, for instance, the snowflake, in which a great number of water molecules arrange themselves in patterns with six-way symmetry. How is it that molecules moving seemingly at random become organized according to the simple, six-fold rule? How do the comings, goings, meetings, and eatings of individual animals add up to the simple dynamics of ecosystem populations? More generally, how does complex and seemingly capricious microbehavior generate stable, predictable macrobehavior?.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 397-401) and index.

ISBN:

0674010426

OCLC:

51088130