Articoli correlati a Four Colors Suffice: How The Map Problem Was Solved

Four Colors Suffice: How The Map Problem Was Solved - Brossura

 
9780691120232: Four Colors Suffice: How The Map Problem Was Solved
Vedi tutte le copie di questo ISBN:
 
 

On October 23, 1852, Professor Augustus De Morgan wrote a letter to a colleague, unaware that he was launching one of the most famous mathematical conundrums in history--one that would confound thousands of puzzlers for more than a century. This is the amazing story of how the "map problem" was solved.


The problem posed in the letter came from a former student: What is the least possible number of colors needed to fill in any map (real or invented) so that neighboring counties are always colored differently? This deceptively simple question was of minimal interest to cartographers, who saw little need to limit how many colors they used. But the problem set off a frenzy among professional mathematicians and amateur problem solvers, among them Lewis Carroll, an astronomer, a botanist, an obsessive golfer, the Bishop of London, a man who set his watch only once a year, a California traffic cop, and a bridegroom who spent his honeymoon coloring maps. In their pursuit of the solution, mathematicians painted maps on doughnuts and horseshoes and played with patterned soccer balls and the great rhombicuboctahedron.


It would be more than one hundred years (and countless colored maps) later before the result was finally established. Even then, difficult questions remained, and the intricate solution--which involved no fewer than 1,200 hours of computer time--was greeted with as much dismay as enthusiasm.


Providing a clear and elegant explanation of the problem and the proof, Robin Wilson tells how a seemingly innocuous question baffled great minds and stimulated exciting mathematics with far-flung applications. This is the entertaining story of those who failed to prove, and those who ultimately did prove, that four colors do indeed suffice to color any map.

Le informazioni nella sezione "Riassunto" possono far riferimento a edizioni diverse di questo titolo.

Recensione:
"Wilson's lucid history weaves together lively anecdotes, biographical sketches, and a non-technical account of the mathematics."--Science

"An attractive and well-written account of the solution of the Four Color Problem. . . . It tells in simple terms an exciting story. It . . . give[s] the reader a view into the world of mathematicians, their ideas and methods, discussions, competitions, and ways of collaboration. As such it is warmly recommended."--Bjarne Toft, Notices of the American Mathematical Society

"A thoroughly accessible history of attempts to prove the four-color theorem. Wilson defines the problem and explains some of the methods used by those trying to solve it. His descriptions of the contributions made by dozens of dedicated, and often eccentric, mathematicians give a fascinating insight into how mathematics moves forward, and how approaches have changed over the past 50 years. . . . It's comforting to know that however indispensable computers become, there will always be a place for the delightfully eccentric mathematical mind. Let's hope that Robin Wilson continues to write about them."--Elizabeth Sourbut, New Scientist

"Recreational mathematicians will find Wilson's history of the conjecture an approachable mix of its technical and human aspects. . . . Wilson explains all with exemplary clarity and an accent on the eccentricities of the characters."--Booklist

"Robin Wilson appeals to the mathematical novice with an unassuming lucidity. It's thrilling to see great mathematicians fall for seductively simple proofs, then stumble on equally simple counter-examples. Or swallow their pride."--Jascha Hoffman, The Boston Globe

"Wilson gives a clear account of the proof . . . enlivened by historical tales."--Alastair Rae, Physics World

"Earlier books . . . relate some of the relevant history in their introductions, but they are primarily technical. In contrast, Four Colors Suffice is a blend of history anecdotes and mathematics. Mathematical arguments are presented in a clear, colloquial style, which flows gracefully."--Daniel S. Silver, American Scientist

"Wilson provides a lively narrative and good, easy-to-read arguments showing not only some of the victories but the defeats as well. . . . Even those with only a mild interest in coloring problems or graphs or topology will have fun reading this book. . . . [It is] entertaining, erudite and loaded with anecdotes."--G.L. Alexanderson, MAA Online

L'autore:
Robin Wilson is Head of the Pure Mathematics Department at the Open University and Fellow of Keble College, Oxford University. He is Gresham Professor of Geometry at Gresham College, London, and is a frequent visitor to Colorado College. He has written and edited about 25 books on topics ranging from graph theory via philately, to the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, to the history of mathematics.

Le informazioni nella sezione "Su questo libro" possono far riferimento a edizioni diverse di questo titolo.

  • EditorePrinceton Univ Pr
  • Data di pubblicazione2004
  • ISBN 10 0691120234
  • ISBN 13 9780691120232
  • RilegaturaCopertina flessibile
  • Numero di pagine280
  • Valutazione libreria

Altre edizioni note dello stesso titolo

9780691115337: Four Colors Suffice: How the Map Problem Was Solved

Edizione in evidenza

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9780691115337
Casa editrice: Princeton Univ Pr, 2003
Rilegato

  • 9780141009087: Four Colours Suffice: How the Map Problem Was Solved

    Penguin, 2003
    Brossura

  • 9780713996708: Four Colours Suffice: How the Map Problem Was Solved

    Allen ..., 2002
    Rilegato

I migliori risultati di ricerca su AbeBooks

Foto dell'editore

Wilson, Robin
ISBN 10: 0691120234 ISBN 13: 9780691120232
Nuovo Paperback Quantità: 1
Da:
GoldenWavesOfBooks
(Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.)
Valutazione libreria

Descrizione libro Paperback. Condizione: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Codice articolo Holz_New_0691120234

Informazioni sul venditore | Contatta il venditore

Compra nuovo
EUR 24,09
Convertire valuta

Aggiungere al carrello

Spese di spedizione: EUR 3,70
In U.S.A.
Destinazione, tempi e costi
Foto dell'editore

Wilson, Robin
ISBN 10: 0691120234 ISBN 13: 9780691120232
Nuovo Paperback Quantità: 1
Da:
Wizard Books
(Long Beach, CA, U.S.A.)
Valutazione libreria

Descrizione libro Paperback. Condizione: new. New. Codice articolo Wizard0691120234

Informazioni sul venditore | Contatta il venditore

Compra nuovo
EUR 29,15
Convertire valuta

Aggiungere al carrello

Spese di spedizione: EUR 3,24
In U.S.A.
Destinazione, tempi e costi
Foto dell'editore

Wilson, Robin
ISBN 10: 0691120234 ISBN 13: 9780691120232
Nuovo Paperback Quantità: 1
Da:
GoldBooks
(Austin, TX, U.S.A.)
Valutazione libreria

Descrizione libro Paperback. Condizione: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Codice articolo think0691120234

Informazioni sul venditore | Contatta il venditore

Compra nuovo
EUR 30,12
Convertire valuta

Aggiungere al carrello

Spese di spedizione: EUR 3,93
In U.S.A.
Destinazione, tempi e costi
Foto dell'editore

Wilson, Robin
ISBN 10: 0691120234 ISBN 13: 9780691120232
Nuovo Brossura Quantità: 1
Da:
GF Books, Inc.
(Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.)
Valutazione libreria

Descrizione libro Condizione: New. Book is in NEW condition. Codice articolo 0691120234-2-1

Informazioni sul venditore | Contatta il venditore

Compra nuovo
EUR 55,21
Convertire valuta

Aggiungere al carrello

Spese di spedizione: GRATIS
In U.S.A.
Destinazione, tempi e costi
Foto dell'editore

Wilson, Robin
ISBN 10: 0691120234 ISBN 13: 9780691120232
Nuovo Brossura Quantità: 1
Da:
Book Deals
(Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.)
Valutazione libreria

Descrizione libro Condizione: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Codice articolo 353-0691120234-new

Informazioni sul venditore | Contatta il venditore

Compra nuovo
EUR 55,22
Convertire valuta

Aggiungere al carrello

Spese di spedizione: GRATIS
In U.S.A.
Destinazione, tempi e costi
Foto dell'editore

Wilson, Robin
ISBN 10: 0691120234 ISBN 13: 9780691120232
Nuovo Brossura Quantità: 1
Da:
BennettBooksLtd
(LOS ANGELES, CA, U.S.A.)
Valutazione libreria

Descrizione libro Condizione: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 0.71. Codice articolo Q-0691120234

Informazioni sul venditore | Contatta il venditore

Compra nuovo
EUR 89,60
Convertire valuta

Aggiungere al carrello

Spese di spedizione: EUR 3,82
In U.S.A.
Destinazione, tempi e costi