The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved: How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry: How a Mathmatical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry - Rilegato

Livio, Mario

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 0285637436 ISBN 13: 9780285637436

Casa editrice: Souvenir Press Ltd, 2006

Riassunto

The story of symmetry is a story of brilliant mathematicians, and a fascinating account of how mathematics illuminates a wide variety of disciplines. It explains how J.S. Bach composed, how the rubik's cube was invented and why we are sexually attracted to other people. Over the millennia, mathematicians had solved progressively more difficult algebraic equations until they came to the quintic equation. It resisted solution for several centuries, until two mathematical prodigies independently discovered that it could not be solved by the usual methods and opened the door to group theory. These young geniuses, a Norwegian named Niels Henrik Abel and the Frenchman, Evarist Galois, would both die tragically. Galois spent the night before his death in a duel (aged only twenty) scribbling another summary of his proof, writing in the margin of his notebook: "I have no time".

Su questo libro

Recensione:

"Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how the apparently remote concerns of pure mathematics can lead to deep and practical insights into the natural world." (Ian Stewart, author of 'Does God Play Dice?')

"A look at brilliant figures who changed the way we approach maths... the tragically short lived Evariste Galois and Niels Henrik Abel, the nineteenth century mathematicians who gave us Group Theory and the method to solving quintic equations." (Leading Edge (BBC Radio 4))

"Livio's exploration of symmetry goes beyond mathematics to take in art and music... Most intriguing of all is his discussion of human evolution." (Scotland on Sunday .)

"A lively addition to the small number of popular accounts of these climatic developments in mathematics. His tale is many-stranded." (Times Higher Educational Supplement .)

"A fine contribution to mathematical literature." (Financial Times .)

Descrizione del libro:

How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Souvenir Press Ltd
• Data di pubblicazione: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0285637436
• ISBN 13: 9780285637436
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero di pagine: 368