Bibliograph

Are numbers real?, the uncanny relationship of mathematics and the physical world, Brian Clegg

Type

Label

Are numbers real?, the uncanny relationship of mathematics and the physical world, Brian Clegg

Language

eng

Illustrations

chartsillustrations

Index

no index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Are numbers real?

Responsibility statement

Brian Clegg

Sub title

the uncanny relationship of mathematics and the physical world

Summary

Have you ever wondered what humans did before numbers existed? How they organized their lives, traded goods, or kept track of their treasures? What would your life be like without them? Numbers began as simple representations of everyday things, but mathematics rapidly took on a life of its own, occupying a parallel virtual world. In Are Numbers Real? Brian Clegg explores the way that maths has become more and more detached from reality, yet despite this is driving the development of modern physics. From devising a new counting system based on goats, through the weird and wonderful mathematics of imaginary numbers and infinity to the debate over whether mathematics has too much influence on the direction of science, this fascinating and accessible book opens the reader's eyes to the hidden reality of the strange yet familiar world of numbers

Classification

Creator