Chaotic Fishponds and Mirror Universes: The Strange Math Behind the Modern World

by Richard Elwes

Overview

Chaotic Fishponds and Mirror Universes explains how mathematics determines every aspect of our lives-â??right down to the foundations of our bodies. Math is everywhere, whether we are aware of it or not. What can we learn from fish in a pond? How do social networks connect the world? How can artificial intelligences learn? How can math make you a better liar? Exploring math through thirty-five of its odd and often unexpected applications, this book provides an insight into the 'hidden wiring' that governs our world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623655181
Publisher:	Quercus
Publication date:	06/03/2014
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Dr. Richard Elwes is a writer, teacher and researcher in Mathematics and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Leeds. He contributes to New Scientist and Plus Magazine and publishes research on model theory.

Table of Contents

Introduction. 01 Knowing me, knowing you - The mathematical hierarchies of knowledge. 02 An average chapter - Mathematical definitions of the typical. 03 Atomic networks and chemical trees - Chemical graph theory and the make-up of molecules. 04 All-conquering algorithms - The backbone of the computer age. 05 Getting a proper perspective - Projective geometry and the world of art. 06 Our pixellated planet - The mathematics of digital photography. 07 The dynamic solar system - The mathematics of planetary motion. 08 Creating electronic brains - The mathematics of machine learning. 09 Untangling the stuff of life - The mathematics of DNA. 10 Ballot box paradox - The mathematics of elections. 11 Our CGI world - Triangulation and computer-generated imagery. 12 Mirrors and molecules - The (a)symmetries of the universe. 13 Syphilis and Christmas lights - The mathematics of group-testing. 14 The chaos in the fishpond - The untidy growth of populations. 15 The rise of homo economicus - The mathematical basis of decision theory. 16 The hole story - The shapes of the universe. 17 Rain or shine? - The mathematics of weather forecasting. 18 Smoke and mirrors - Statistical illusions and numerical mirages. 19 Where are we? - GPS geometry and Einstein's explorations. 20 More bang for your buck - Optimizing the world. 21 Our electronic friends - The mathematics of social networks. 22 Tea-tasting and trials - The mathematics of significance. 23 The calm at the eye of the storm - Fixed points and the nature of equilibrium. 24 One small step... - The mathematics of space travel. 25 Tulip bubbles and hedge funds - Futures, options and the ups and downs of markets. 26 Teacher troubles - The tricky world of timetables. 27 Let there be light - The extraordinarily useful geometry of optics. 28 The battle against disease - Mathematical models and the spread of infection. 29 Wave-worlds - The mathematics of sound and light. 30 Search-engine society - The algorithm behind Google's PageRank. 31 Hold the line, please! - The mathematics of queues. 32 Avoiding bad language - Correcting mistakes in digital communication. 33 Automata and articulation - The mathematics of robot movement. 34 Hot stuff - The mathematics of energy and entropy. 35 The perils of paradox - Type theory and programming. Index.