Looking for math in all the wrong places : math in real life / Shai Simonson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Simonson, Shai, author.

Series:

AMS/MAA spectrum ; v. 104.

Spectrum ; vol 104

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mathematics--Popular works.

Mathematics.

Mathematics--Miscellanea.

Physical Description:

xi, 209 pages : illustrations (some color)

Place of Publication:

Providence, Rhode Island : MAA Press, an imprint of the American Mathematical Society, [2022]

Summary:

The soul of mathematics is the practice of skeptical inquiry: asking how and why things work, experimenting, exploring, and discovering. Estimation, analysis, computation, conjecture, and proof are the mathematical path to uncovering truth and we can use them in nearly every human pursuit. In this thoroughly charming and beguiling book, Shai Simonson applies mathematical tools in a variety of contexts that arise in everyday life to prove his claim that math is, literally, everywhere. Simonson applies his mathematical cast of mind to hiking, birthday parties, carnival games, lock picking, and kite flying. We see unexpected depths and connections when we look in the "wrong" places in the right way.No advanced mathematical knowledge is required to travel with Simonson and share in his investigations. All a reader needs is an open and curious mind, an eagerness to ask questions, and a willingness to think deeply and carefully about seemingly mundane things. There is wonder and joy in quotidian life with Simonson as your guide.

Contents:

Summer carnivals

Games

Holidays

Magic

Locks

Limits

Wine and averages

Music

Parabolas, catenaries, and kites

A day in the woods

Viral puzzles

Happy birthday

COVID-19

Estimations

High-tech interviews

Sports.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-4704-7149-3