The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved: How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.44 (893 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0743258215 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 368 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2015-10-25 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
"Meandering and Unfocused, Yet Still Interesting" according to Steve Koss. Mario Livio's title suggests an exploration of unsolvable equations, in particular the drama enshrouding the mathematical conundrum of solving general, fifth degree polynomial equations, known as quintics. His subtitle, "How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry," indicates that his work will also explore the role of symmetry in ultimately resolving the question of whether such polynomials could b. "Good book" according to Michael Steiner. Interesting book on the history of solving polynomials, enjoying it.. "The Captivating History of Symmetry" according to Martin J. O'Neill. This book represents an ambitious effort of Mario Livio to explain and describe the mathematical origen of group theory, the language of symmetry, in its historical context. The subject is developed to show the importance of the theory for some of the most important scientific achievements of the 20th century (the general theory of relativity). The author's account of the lives of the 2 young mathematicians who did
But this engaging treatise soft-pedals it in a crowd-pleasing way. Photos. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. The title's formula is the "quintic" equation (involving x raised to the fifth power), the analysis of which gave rise to "group theory," the mathematical apparatus scientists use to explore symmetry. From Publishers Weekly The idea of symmetry has been heavily deployed in recent science popularizations to introduce advanced subjects in math and physics. Inevitably, the author's attempts to explain group theory and its applications in particle physics and string theory to a general audience fall sadly short, so readers will just have to take his word for the Mozartean beauty of it all. Fortunately, astrophysicist Livio (The Golden Ratio) keeps the
Working independently, two great prodigies ultimately proved that the quintic cannot be solved by a simple formula. What do Bach's compositions, Rubik's Cube, the way we choose our mates, and the physics of subatomic particles have in common? All are governed by the laws of symmetry, which elegantly unify scientific and artistic principles. The first extensive, popular account of the mathematics of symmetry and order, The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved is told not through abstract formulas but in a beautifull