MATH IS A BEAUTIFUL THING RIGHT NOW: 10 NEW BOOKS
Math is a beautiful thing. It always has been. But as we come to understand it more, and we figure more and more out about our universe, math becomes even more beautiful. We’ve got 10 new books that are totally awesome to share with you. Even if you “hate” math, these will show you “love.”
1. 50 VISIONS OF MATHEMATICS
50 Visions of Mathematics
Each essay is meant to be read in one sitting, making 50 Visions of Mathematics a book that you can pick up anytime. The book includes stunning illustrations of mathematical properties and a series of mathematical proofs.
This book is a must have for anyone fascinated by the beauty of mathematics.
Oxford University Press (2014)
2. Byrne: Six Books of Euclid
Werner Oechslin has reprinted nineteenth century mathematician Oliver Byrne’s Euclid’s Elements in his new book Byrne: Six Books of Euclid.
Focusing on the principles of plane geometry, Byrne was one of the first mathematicians to stray from letters and symbols to explain mathematics.
Byrne: Six Books of Euclid is an extraordinary example of Victorian printing, filled with stunning geometric shapes and a collage of vibrant colors with minimal text. Described as “one of the oddest and most beautiful books of the 19th century,” Oechslin’s reprint provides the perfect opportunity to explore the work of this innovative mathematician.
Taschen (2013)
3. 100 ESSENTIAL THINGS YOU DIDN”T KNOW ABOUT MATH AND THE ARTS
To some, math and art are two entirely different fields, but they share a surprising amount in common. In his new book, 100 Essential Things You Didn't Know You Didn't Know about Math and the Arts
Barrow uses simple math to skillfully craft a relation between math and 100 well known works of art in a way that you don’t need to be a mathematician to understand. His evaluation sheds an entirely new light on some of the world’s most beautiful works of art.
From the intricacies of Pollock’s drip paintings to the writings of Shakespeare, 100 Essential Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know about Math and the Arts will provide you with the tools to understand the beauty of math behind the arts.
W. W. Norton & Company (2015)
4. LOVE AND MATH: THE HEART OF HIDDEN REALITY
In Love and Math: The Heart of Hidden Reality, renowned Russian mathematician Edward Frenkel takes us on a journey. First, he elegantly explores the presence of mathematics in everyday life.
Frenkel reveals a side of math that we have never seen before. He provides a structured argument that math is the core element that unites everything across cultures, time, and space.
Through his personal passion for math, Frenkel helps us fall in love with its beauty.
Frenkel now works on one of the biggest new math ideas of this century: the Langlands Program. Considered by many to be a Grand Unified Theory of mathematics, the Langlands Program helps researchers to translate findings from one field to another so that they can solve problems.
Basic Books (2014)
5. THE WORLD OF MATHEMATICS
Exploring mathematics from a textbook can be difficult. The World of Mathematics is an innovative ebook that creates an interactive experience. Beautiful illustrations, videos, animations, slideshows, and games make that experience a beautiful thing.
Using some of the most advanced web technologies and educational principles, the mission is to make advanced mathematical ideas as accessible and exciting as possible. It includes 30 of the most exciting, interesting or useful areas of mathematics and ordered them in five chapters. But you don’t have to follow any particular order to explore.
As you interact, you can alter numbers to see how results of an equation change. You can also search for mathematical terms. The website includes topics for any level of experience with math from simple imaginary numbers to complex ideas like quantum mechanics.
No previous experience is necessary to browse the site and discover the vast and intricate world of math.
6. MATH BYTES
Math Bytes is an exciting and fun read for all those who have lost their way with mathematics. Narrated by the humorous Tim Chartier, the book shows you how to prove the most difficult math theories and equations with the help of everyday life events.
A very different read than any other math book out there, Math Bytes answers all the math questions of the modern world from Homer Simpson’s donuts to tweeting about movies.
Solving the problems is just as unique, utilizing objects, like bags of chips and activities like doodling.
"Math Bytes is fun and full of puzzles and brainteasers in a mashup of mathematics, social media, and pop culture referencing Beyoncé, Google, and Twitter among others. . . This reviewer is simply a fool for math puzzles (though some readers might stop at simply a fool). Math Bytes scratches that itch quite nicely."
-- Robert Schaefer, New York Journal of Books
Princeton University Press (2014)
7. ENLIGHTENING SYMBOLS
Popular math author Joseph Mazur has done it again! In his latest book, Enlightening Symbols: A Short History of Mathematical Notation and Its Hidden Powers, he explains the meaning and history behind the symbols found in mathematics. Mazur’s approach to the rich history of how math came to be what it is fundamentally today is fascinating.
He shows how notations were used prior to the sixteenth century and the development and evolution of our current mathematical system over time with a unique psychological twist. This historic analysis is engaging to readers of any kind! Enlightening Symbols will change the way you see mathematical symbols and explain the impression that they have had on modern-day society.
"[A] fascinating narrative. . . This is a nuanced, intelligently framed chronicle packed with nuggets--such as the fact that Hindus, not Arabs, introduced Arabic numerals. In a word: enlightening."
-- George Szpiro, Nature
Princeton University Press (2014)
8. OUR MATHEMATICAL UNIVERSE
Max Tegmark takes us on a journey through the world around us, or as his book is titled - Our Mathematical Universe: My Quest for the Ultimate Nature of Reality
First, Tegmark sheds light on theories of the universe he believes to be false. Then, he proposes a groundbreaking scientific proposition that a physical reality is a mathematical structure followed by his theory of an ultimate multiverse.
A must-read for all interested in the fate of our universe, Tegmark captivates the reader with his brilliant ideas on how the universe is made up of the science around us.
“Daring, Radical. Innovative. A game changer. If Dr. Tegmark is correct, this represents a paradigm shift in the relationship between physics and mathematics, forcing us to rewrite our textbooks. A must read for anyone deeply concerned about our universe.”
-- Michio Kaku, author of Physics of the Future
“Tegmark offers a fresh and fascinating perspective on the fabric of physical reality and life itself. He helps us see ourselves in a cosmic context that highlights the grand opportunities for the future of life in our universe.”
-- Ray Kurzweil, author of The Singularity is Near
Knopf (2014)
9. MATH IN 100 KEY BREAKTHROUGHS
Math in 100 Key Breakthroughs
As he explains discoveries that have changed the math world and understanding of the universe, along with their history, Dr. Elwes inspires all readers to take an interest in the math surrounding them!
From the first attempt to count -- traced back to more than 35,000 years ago -- to Wiles' Proof of Fermat's Last Theorem to Cook & Woolfram's Rule 110, you’ll learn how math has rocked our world.
A must-read for all those interested in learning the most important concepts of math without being overwhelmed by the multitude of math concepts available.
Quercus (2013)
10. HOW NOT TO BE WRONG
Math superstar Jordan Ellenberg’s How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking takes a different approach to explaining mathematics kind of like Freakonomics of math.
Throwing out the jargon and heavy analysis of most other math books, Ellenburg focuses on the more clandestine beauty of the math world and its constant presence around us.
Using anecdotes and miraculous examples of the math in our lives, Ellenburg shows how math can reveal the answer to important life questions like what time to go to the airport and what public opinion actually represents.
How Not to be Wrong cleverly provides the mathematical framework for a deeper understanding of the world.
Penguin Press HC (2014)
Read more about Beautiful Math, as they relate to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact.
Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Math in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 09.21.14. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!
PHOTO CREDITS:
- Image: by Rob Hocking, University of Cambridge. A 3-D printed version of the mathematical form above.
- Image: Courtesy of Oxford University Press. “Visions of Mathematics.”
- Image: Courtesy of Taschen. “Byrne: Six Books of Euclid.”
- Image: Courtesy of W. W. Norton & Company. “100 Essential Things You Didn't Know You Didn't Know about Math and the Arts.”
- Image: Courtesy of Basic Books. “Love and Math: The Heart of Hidden Reality.”
- Image: Courtesy of Mathigon. “World of Mathematics.”
- Image: Courtesy of Mathigon. “Numbers and Patterns.”
- Image: Courtesy of Princeton University Press. “Math Bytes.”
- Image: Courtesy of Princeton University Press. “Enlightening Symbols.”
- Image: Courtesy of Knopf. “Our Mathematical Universe.”
- Image: Courtesy of Quercus. “Math in 100 Key Breakthroughs.”
- Image: Courtesy of Penguin Press HC. “How Not to Be Wrong."
