The pleasures of counting
Publisher's description: What is the connection between the outbreak of cholera in Victorian Soho, the Battle of the Atlantic, African Eve and the design of anchors? One answer is that they are all examples chosen by Dr Tom Körner to show how a little mathematics can shed light on the world around us, and deepen our understanding of it. Dr Körner, an experienced author, describes a variety of topics which continue to interest professional mathematicians, like him. He does this using relatively simple terms and ideas, yet confronting difficulties (which are often the starting point for new discoveries) and avoiding condescension. If you have ever wondered what it is that mathematicians do, and how they go about it, then read on. If you are a mathematician wanting to explain to others how you spend your working days (and nights), then seek inspiration here
Print Book, English, 1996
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1996
Popular works
x, 534 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
9780521568234, 9780521560870, 0521568234, 052156087X
36358812
Preface; Part I. The Uses of Abstraction: 1. Unfeeling statistics; 2. Prelude to a battle; 3. Blackett; 4. Aircraft versus submarine; Part II. Meditations on Measurement: 5. Biology in a darkened room; 6. Physics in a darkened room; 7. Subtle is the Lord; 8. A Quaker mathematician; 9. Richardson on war; Part III. The Pleasures of Computation: 10. Some classic algorithms; 11. Some modern algorithms; 12. Deeper matters; 13. Enigma; 14. The Poles; 15. Bletchley; 16. Echoes; Part IV. The Pleasures of Thought: 17. Time and chance; 18. Two mathematics lessons; 19. Last thoughts; Appendix A. Further reading; Appendix B. Sources; Appendix C. Some notations; Bibliography; Index.