Symmetry: A Journey into the Patterns of Nature
By Marcus Du Sautoy
* Publisher: Harper
* Number Of Pages: 384
* Publication Date: 2008-03-01
* ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0060789409
* ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780060789404
Product Description:
Symmetry is all around us. Our eyes and minds are drawn to symmetrical objects, from the pyramid to the pentagon. Of fundamental significance to the way we interpret the world, this unique, pervasive phenomenon indicates a dynamic relationship between objects. In chemistry and physics, the concept of symmetry explains the structure of crystals or the theory of fundamental particles; in evolutionary biology, the natural world exploits symmetry in the fight for survival; and symmetry—and the breaking of it—is central to ideas in art, architecture, and music.
Combining a rich historical narrative with his own personal journey as a mathematician, Marcus du Sautoy takes a unique look into the mathematical mind as he explores deep conjectures about symmetry and brings us face-to-face with the oddball mathematicians, both past and present, who have battled to understand symmetry's elusive qualities. He explores what is perhaps the most exciting discovery to date—the summit of mathematicians' mastery in the field—the Monster, a huge snowflake that exists in 196,883-dimensional space with more symmetries than there are atoms in the sun.
What is it like to solve an ancient mathematical problem in a flash of inspiration? What is it like to be shown, ten minutes later, that you've made a mistake? What is it like to see the world in mathematical terms, and what can that tell us about life itself? In Symmetry, Marcus du Sautoy investigates these questions and shows mathematical novices what it feels like to grapple with some of the most complex ideas the human mind can comprehend.
Summary: A great read on several levels
Rating: 5
Prof du Sautoy's book is a great read on many levels: it explains some very pure (call it hardcore) mathematics in an understandable way, without shying away from a formula here or there; it shows a bit of the reality of doing mathematical research and the life in academia (the choices you need to make, the highs and lows you encounter); and it gives plenty of colorful anecdotes and mathematical history to create a sense of a larger whole, of mathematics being done by people--some very odd ones, true, but people nonetheless, who like the rest of us get sick, try to raise families, and make bad choices on occasion.
The book could have used a little tighter editing--some glaring typos in the math and imprecise language were a distraction at times, but only because of the high quality of the book as a whole. For me it was a pleasure to read!
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