My Account Log in

1 option

The Unreasonable Elegance of Mathematics / by Stefan Steinerberger.

Springer Nature - Springer Mathematics and Statistics (R0) eBooks 2025 English International Available online

View online
Format:
Book
Author/Creator:
Steinerberger, Stefan.
Series:
SUMS Readings, 2730-5821
Language:
English
Subjects (All):
Mathematics.
History.
Social sciences.
General Mathematics.
History of Mathematical Sciences.
Mathematics in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Local Subjects:
Mathematics.
General Mathematics.
History of Mathematical Sciences.
Mathematics in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Physical Description:
1 online resource (239 pages)
Edition:
1st ed. 2025.
Place of Publication:
Cham : Springer Nature Switzerland : Imprint: Springer, 2025.
Summary:
This book offers an introduction to the nature of mathematics, its history, and some of the curious individuals who have shaped it. It explores a range of fundamental ideas that can be appreciated without prior mathematical training. Highlighting the human side of mathematics and its shared lineage with philosophy, the book embraces the subject’s colorful history, incorporating original source material in the main text. Based on a course taught to non-science majors, it is intended for anyone with an interest in mathematics—including those whose last experience with algebra was less than enjoyable.
Contents:
1 What is Mathematics?
2 Pascal’s Triangle, Number Magic and the Apocalypse
3 Some Simple Number Mysteries
4 Cellular Automata
5 Axioms: the Rules of the Game
6 Direct and Indirect Proofs
7 Dirichlet’s Box Principle
8 Adding Infinitely Many Things
9 Incorrectly Adding Infinitely Many Things
10 The Other Side of the Story (Plato vs. Wittgenstein)
11 Different Infinities
12 The Monte Carlo Method
13 Chaos Theory
14 Mathematics as a Tool for Dishonesty
15 Able Amateurs and Colorful Crackpots
16 The House Always Wins
17 Matching Things
18 Conflict and Cooperation
19 The End of Knowledge.
Notes:
Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.
ISBN:
9783032038159
OCLC:
1547952133

The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.

Find

Home Release notes

My Account

Shelf Request an item Bookmarks Fines and fees Settings

Guides

Using the Find catalog Using Articles+ Using your account