Book contents
- Why Does Math Work … If It’s Not Real?
- Why Does Math Work … If It’s Not Real?
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Part I Rare Axioms
- 1 Introducing the Mystery
- 2 On Classical Mathematics
- 3 On Modern Physics
- Intermezzo
- Part II The Oracle
- Epilogue: The Eternal Blueprint
- Post Scriptum: On Mathematical Grand Design
- Appendix
- Recommended Reading
- Index
1 - Introducing the Mystery
from Part I - Rare Axioms
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2023
- Why Does Math Work … If It’s Not Real?
- Why Does Math Work … If It’s Not Real?
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Part I Rare Axioms
- 1 Introducing the Mystery
- 2 On Classical Mathematics
- 3 On Modern Physics
- Intermezzo
- Part II The Oracle
- Epilogue: The Eternal Blueprint
- Post Scriptum: On Mathematical Grand Design
- Appendix
- Recommended Reading
- Index
Summary
Here, we familiarize the reader with the main theme. How is it possible that the formulas of ancient Greek mathematicians are perfectly fitted for our technology that was just recently invented? We show of several concrete and well-known examples, where an obscure, ancient, mathematical idea reappears in modern science and technology: ellipses, imaginary numbers, trig formulas, and such. At the end of the chapter, the reader is “hooked” and he/she believes that there is a mystery to be solved.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Why Does Math Work … If It's Not Real?Episodes in Unreasonable Effectiveness, pp. 3 - 14Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023