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Product Description
Product Description
The aim of this book is to explain, carefully but not technically, the differences between advanced, research-level mathematics, and the sort of mathematics we learn at school. The most fundamental differences are philosophical, and readers of this book will emerge with a clearer understanding of paradoxical-sounding concepts such as infinity, curved space, and imaginary numbers. The first few chapters are about general aspects of mathematical thought. These are followed by discussions of more specific topics, and the book closes with a chapter answering common sociological questions about the mathematical community (such as "Is it true that mathematicians burn out at the age of 25?")
About the Author
Timothy Gowers is Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University and was a recipient of a Fields Medal for Mathematics in 1998, awarded for 'the most daring, profound and stimulating research done by young mathematicians'.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Suppose that you are standing on level ground on a calm day, and have in your hand a stone which you would like to throw as far as possible. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Suppose that you are standing on level ground on a calm day, and have in your hand a stone which you would like to throw as far as possible. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Professor Gowers explains the key concepts of mathematics in this accessible and well-constructed book. Written for a general audience (although some basic scientific knowledge is an advantage), this book avoids the popularisation of mathematics, but instead focuses instead on the central ideas of abstraction and axiomisation which underpin all of modern mathematics.
After an introductory chapter on mathematical models in the sciences, Professor Gowers covers topics including numbers, limits, dimension and approximation in six short chapters. A final chapter gives thought-provoking answers to questions such as what are the connections between mathematics and music, and what is beauty in mathematics. The format inevitably means that some topics are omitted due to lack of space - there is little background on the history of mathematics for example - but that does not detract from the central theme of the book.
Professor Gowers' enthusiasm for his subject comes across on every page.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have bought several books in the "Very Short Introduction..." series all of which have been excellent and this one in particular is extremely clear and interesting. The book is aimed at the intelligent layperson and gives a general introduction to what maths really is and how professional mathematicians think about it. This approach is in contrast to most people's experience in school where tedious and repetitive calculation is the norm (which is a real shame). Various areas in maths are looked at and the ideas behind them are explained rather than the reader being hit with big formulae and funny looking symbols.
29 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is amazing how Tim Gowers, one of the greatest mathematicians
of our time, managed to convey the spirit and content of math to the general reader, and not only. Even professional mathematicians will learn a lot from his insightful remarks.
This ``little'' book is destined to become a classic of popular
science writing.
of our time, managed to convey the spirit and content of math to the general reader, and not only. Even professional mathematicians will learn a lot from his insightful remarks.
This ``little'' book is destined to become a classic of popular
science writing.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent
An eye-opening view into mathematics. I was worried at first that I wouldn't understand it as I found maths very boring in school, but Gowers gives lucid, clear and stimulating... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ms. Anya C. Martin
Superb introduction
Timothy Gowers has written a very readable and engaging introduction to mathematics covering a surprisingly broad range of topics considering the space limitations of the format... Read more
Published 6 months ago by D. Buick
very good explanation of mathematical principles
This book is well written and provides a good explanation of mathematical axioms, through an analysis of their basic meaning. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. Robert Marsland
The best introduction to math out there
The world of mathematics elicits many different emotions, from fear to reverence, from apprehension to fascination. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Dr. Bojan Tunguz
A good take on the subject
It's well known that some concepts in mathematics can be utterly mind-bending - concepts such as curved space, higher dimensional geometry, infinity, and more besides. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Steve M
A useful guide
considering the limited space, it is a 'very short introduction' after all, the author does a good job of guiding the reader through some of the fundamental areas and practices of... Read more
Published 18 months ago by GJ_Reading
Review
This is an excellent book for people with some mathematical understanding. I would say it is perfect for sixth form students studying mathematics.
Published 19 months ago by Mr. Peter J. Halliwell
Great bordom buster
This book is very good. It is the perfect size for putting in a bag and carrying with you for those moments of boredom. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Rachel
Philosophy of mathematics
I believe in van Frassen, Nancy Cartwright, Ronald Gere, Frederick Suppes and the rest of the group that believes science is theory and models; theory being mathematical equations... Read more
Published 21 months ago by A reader
stimulating
I'm a biologist myself and failed horribly at math when I was in school. I wanted to learn more about the mindset of the mathematician and this book was perfect. Read more
Published 24 months ago by M. Tummers
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