Mathematical Mysteries: The Beauty and Magic of Numbers

by Calvin C. Clawson

Overview

Why seemingly unrelated mathematical truths are connected in simple and beautiful equations continues to stump even mathematicians. This recreational math book takes the reader on a fantastic voyage into the world of natural numbers. From the earliest discoveries of the ancient Greeks to various fundamental characteristics of the natural number sequence, Clawson explains fascinating mathematical mysteries in clear and easy prose. He delves into the heart of number theory to see and understand the exquisite relationships among natural numbers, and ends by exploring the ultimate mystery of mathematics: the Riemann hypothesis, which says that through a point in a plane, no line can be drawn parallel to a given line.While a professional mathematician's treatment of number theory involves the most sophisticated analytical tools, its basic ideas are surprisingly easy to comprehend. By concentrating on the meaning behind various equations and proofs and avoiding technical refinements, Mathematical Mysteries lets the common reader catch a glimpse of this wonderful and exotic world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738202594
Publisher:	Basic Books
Publication date:	12/08/1999
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	328
Sales rank:	1,114,236
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1200L (what's this?)

About the Author

Calvin C. Clawson is the author of The Mathematical Traveler and Conquering Math Phobia. He has published over two dozen short stories, and won an award from the National Writers Association for his novel The White Badger. A teacher of mathematics at Seattle Community College, he lives south of Issaquah, Washington.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	1
Chapter 1	Discovery of the Number Sequence	8
Chapter 2	Numbers and the Occult	39
Chapter 3	Sequences and Series	53
Chapter 4	The Family of Numbers	77
Chapter 5	Story for a Rich Man	95
Chapter 6	Exotic Connections	116
Chapter 7	Closing in on the Primes	145
Chapter 8	Primes in Depth	164
Chapter 9	Primes and Secret Codes	184
Chapter 10	The Remarkable Ramanujan	201
Chapter 11	Ramanujan's Equations	216
Chapter 12	Goldbach's Conjecture	236
Chapter 13	Deepest Mysteries	258
Chapter 14	Into the Stratosphere	279
	End Notes	297
	Suggested Reading	305
	Index	309

Editorial Reviews

Clawson (mathematics, Seattle Community College) attempts to demonstrate to the layman with a rudimentary knowledge of algebra some of the deep beauties that he finds at the heart of mathematics. Travelling from early Greek achievements to the work of Kurt G<:o>del, he uses text and mathematical equations to explore such topics as the golden mean, Fibbonacci numbers, and special features of prime numbers. Throughout, he discusses the historical development of mathematical knowledge. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews