The Language of Mathematics
Making the Invisible Visible
by Keith J. Devlin · first published 2000
100% recommend
In The Language of Mathematics, Keith Devlin reveals the vital role mathematics plays in our eternal quest to understand who we are and the world we live in. More than just the study of numbers, mathematics provides us with the eyes to recognize and describe the hidden patterns of life-patterns that exist in the physical, biological, and social worlds without, and the realm of ideas and thoughts within. Taking the reader on a wondrous journey through the invisible universe that surrounds us - a universe made visible by mathematics - Devlin shows us what keeps a jumbo jet in the air, explains
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…history, and how available resources and climate allowed some early settlements to grow into mighty empires, while others struggled to subsist. It also improved my Civilization 3 game playing. ;) The Language of Mathematics by Keith Devlin: Sparked a renewed interest in mathematics through historical narratives of the development of our number systems, mathematicians and numerous mathematical topics. The Code Book by Simon…
on “Ask HN: Life Changing Books?” ↗Here are some nice introductory ones: Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction (Tim Gowers): http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Short-Introduction-Timothy... The Language of Mathematics: Making the Invisible Visible (Keith Devlin): http://www.amazon.com/Language-Mathematics-Making-Invisible-... What is Mathematics?: An Elementary Approach to Ideas and Methods (Richard Courant): http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Elementary-Approach-Ideas-...…
on “Does one have to be a genius to do maths?” ↗Shortly after graduating as an engineer, I remember receiving much help regarding mathematical thinking from a book by Keith Devlin titled "The Language of Mathematics: Making the Invisible Visible". What stuck with me (written from memory, so might differ somewhat from the text): In the introductory chapter, he describes mathematics as the science of patterns. E.g.…
on “Mathematicians discover new way for spheres to 'kiss'” ↗