The shape of space
by Jeffrey R. Weeks · first published 1985
88% recommend13% neutral
Why HN recommends it
An accessible, visual introduction to topology and the geometry of surfaces and 3D spaces. It suits anyone with high school math and works well as a topology primer for curious readers.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Includes new chapters on current experiments to determine the true shape of the universe, written by a master expositor, leading researcher in the field, and MacArthur Fellow!Maintaining the standard of excellence set by the previous edition, this lighthearted textbook surveys the basic geometry of two- and three-dimensional spaces-stretching students’ minds as they learn to visualize new possibilities for the shape of our universe. Contains illustrated examples and engaging exercises that teach mind-expanding ideas in an intuitive and informal way!Bridging the gap from geometry to the latest
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2012–2026Precalculus mathematics in a nutshell
George Finlay Simmons
Recommended by 10 · mentioned by 1110 recommend · 11 mention10 recommend · 1110 recommend
Geometry for Programmers
Oleksandr Kaleniuk
Recommended by 1 · mentioned by 21 recommend · 2 mention1 recommend · 21 recommend
2008–2024Mathematics and plausible reasoning
George Pólya
Recommended by 10 · mentioned by 1310 recommend · 13 mention10 recommend · 1310 recommend
2007–2026Calculus on manifolds
Michael Spivak
Recommended by 22 · mentioned by 4822 recommend · 48 mention22 recommend · 4822 recommend
2008–2026Introduction to the theory of computation
Michael Sipser
Recommended by 66 · mentioned by 8966 recommend · 89 mention66 recommend · 8966 recommend
2008–2026The Timeless Way of Building
Christopher Alexander
Recommended by 67 · mentioned by 10367 recommend · 103 mention67 recommend · 10367 recommend
2007–2026The Elements of Statistical Learning
Trevor Hastie, Robert Tibshirani, Jerome Friedman
Recommended by 144 · mentioned by 227144 recommend · 227 mention144 recommend · 227144 recommend
2008–2026Elements
Euclid
Recommended by 60 · mentioned by 22560 recommend · 225 mention60 recommend · 22560 recommend
The Shape of Space: How to Visualize Surfaces and Three-Dimensional Manifolds by Jeffrey R. Weeks ...this one has been a good read so far, but it is quite mind bending, I only read like a half chapter at a time slowly,…
on “Ask HN: What book are you reading right now?” ↗This is great. For anyone who wants to dive a bit deeper I would highly recommend the book The Shape of Space by Jeffrey Weeks. It's a wonderful insight into topology that can be enjoyed by anyone with high school math or above. I've even spotted it in the small library for graduate students at the Cambridge…
on “What Is the Geometry of the Universe?” ↗…geometry by Spivak (and its little brothers Calculus and Calculus on manifolds) * Fourier Analysis by Körner * Arnold's books on ODE, PDE and mathematical physics are breathtakingly beautiful. * The shape of space by Weeks * Solid Shape by Koenderink * Analyse fonctionnelle by Brézis * Tristan Needhams "visual" books about complex analysis and differential forms * Information theory, inference, and learning…
on “Ask HN: Math books that made you significantly better at math?” ↗"The Shape of Space" is a great "topology for dummies" book. Highly recommended. http://www.amazon.com/Shape-Space-Chapman-Applied-Mathematic...
on “The man with 1,000 klein bottles under his house [video]” ↗- The Shape of Space by Jeffrey R. Weeks -- from geometry to cosmology, exercises your mind into visualizing the shape of the universe. - Algorithms by S. Dasgupta, C. H. Papadimitriou, and U. V. Vazirani. -- compact book…
on “Ask HN: What are the most eye-opening textbooks you have ever read?” ↗Related and for those interested: The Shape of Space [1] by Mathematician Jeffrey R. Weeks [2,3]. """ The Shape of Space...[t]his lighthearted textbook covers the basic geometry and topology of two- and three-dimensional spaces—stretching students’ minds…
on “Scientists wonder if shape of the universe is like a doughnut” ↗…Thurston's Geometrization Theorem outlines the 8 geometries that a closed 3 manifold can have. Topos theory studies space in a very general setting that connects logic to it. You may like the books "The Shape of Space" and "Surreal Numbers". The Numbers 1, 2, 3 is not the only in which mathematicians abstract reality.
on “The Fall of the Theorem Economy” ↗Shape of Space is a really neat book.
on “Ask HN: What book are you reading right now?” ↗It seems you can purchase the Shape of Space video, Audio CD, and activity book from here: http://www.keypress.com/x5877.xml I wish my birthday wasn't so far off. :-(
on “How to turn a sphere inside out [video]” ↗