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It Must be Beautiful: Great Equations of Modern Science

It Must be Beautiful: Great Equations of Modern Science

by Graham Farmelo (Editor)

  • Used

    Hardcover 2002

    $6.13
Synopsis

The exact sciences have an immense weight and influence in our culture. At the heart of their effectiveness lies the mathematical equation. The difficult form of the great equations - particularly those of modern physics - has often acted as an obstacle to any understanding and they have come to embody the mystery and terror of modern science. This volume brings together some living scientists, historians and writers about science. They each seek to unpack an equation so that it becomes understandable. The contributors include Roger Penrose, John Maynard Smith, Arthur Miller, Steven Weinberg and Oliver Morton.

$6.13

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
 Pages: 224
 Publisher: Granta Books
Published: 28 Feb 2002
ISBN 10: 1862074798
ISBN 13: 9781862074798

Media Reviews
Apparently, Einstein was as likely to remark upon the beauty of an equation as he was to refer to its truth. Hence the title of this collection of essays by various hands, each an eminent figure in their field. Each of the dozen contributors takes one of the key equations in modern science and sets about explaining not only its importance but something of the context, both historical and biographical, in which it was discovered or devised. The results are lively and intriguing, and range from pieces on 'The Mathematics of Evolution' to 'Erotica, Aesthetics and Schrodinger's Wave Equation'. A challenging but far from inaccessible read, deliberately rinsed of what Farmelo calls the 'eye-watering' aspect of complex maths.
Author Bio
Graham Farmelo is Head of Science Communication at the Science Museum, London and Associate Professor of Physics at Northeastern University, USA.