What's the Use? (Hardback)
The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics
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A bestselling author tries to rehabillitate a much-maligned field
Many people think mathematics is useless. They're wrong. In the UK, the 2.8 million people employed in mathematical science occupations contributed £208 billion to the economy in a single year -- that's 10 per cent of the workforce contributing 16 per cent of the economy.
What's the Use? asks why there is such a vast gulf between public perceptions of mathematics and reality. It shows how mathematics is vital, often in surprising ways, behind the scenes of daily life. How politicians pick their voters. How an absurd little puzzle solved 300 years ago leads to efficient methods for kidney transplants. How an Irish mathematician's obsession with a new number system improves special effects in movies and computer games. How SatNav relies on at least six mathematical techniques. And how a bizarre, infinitely wiggly curve, helps to optimise deliveries to your door.
What's the Use? (Ebook)
The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics
Buy from
A bestselling author tries to rehabilitate a much-maligned field
'Stewart is Britain's most brilliant and prolific populariser of maths' Alex Bellos
'The instructive equivalent of a Michelin-starred tasting menu' Tim Radford
Many people think mathematics is useless. They're wrong. In the UK, the 2.8 million people employed in mathematical science occupations contributed £208 billion to the economy in a single year - that's 10 per cent of the workforce contributing 16 per cent of the economy.
What's the Use? asks why there is such a vast gulf between public perceptions of mathematics and reality. It shows how mathematics is vital, often in surprising ways, behind the scenes of daily life. How politicians pick their voters. How an absurd little puzzle solved 300 years ago leads to efficient methods for kidney transplants. And how a bizarre, infinitely wiggly curve helps to optimise deliveries to your door.
What's the Use? (Audiobook)
The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics
Buy from
A bestselling author tries to rehabillitate a much-maligned field
Many people think mathematics is useless. They're wrong. In the UK, the 2.8 million people employed in mathematical science occupations contributed £208 billion to the economy in a single year — that's 10 per cent of the workforce contributing 16 per cent of the economy.
What's the Use? asks why there is such a vast gulf between public perceptions of mathematics and reality. It shows how mathematics is vital, often in surprising ways, behind the scenes of daily life. How politicians pick their voters. How an absurd little puzzle solved 300 years ago leads to efficient methods for kidney transplants. How an Irish mathematician's obsession with a new number system improves special effects in movies and computer games. How SatNav relies on at least six mathematical techniques. And how a bizarre, infinitely wiggly curve, helps to optimise deliveries to your door.
What's the Use? (Paperback)
The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics
Buy from
A bestselling author tries to rehabilitate a much-maligned field
'Stewart is Britain's most brilliant and prolific populariser of maths' Alex Bellos
'The instructive equivalent of a Michelin-starred tasting menu' Tim Radford
Many people think mathematics is useless. They're wrong. In the UK, the 2.8 million people employed in mathematical science occupations contributed £208 billion to the economy in a single year - that's 10 per cent of the workforce contributing 16 per cent of the economy.
What's the Use? asks why there is such a vast gulf between public perceptions of mathematics and reality. It shows how mathematics is vital, often in surprising ways, behind the scenes of daily life. How politicians pick their voters. How an absurd little puzzle solved 300 years ago leads to efficient methods for kidney transplants. And how a bizarre, infinitely wiggly curve helps to optimise deliveries to your door.
Reviews for What's the Use?
Jim Al-Khalili FRS
New Scientist
Tom Whipple Times
Steven Strogatz, Professor of Mathematics, Cornell University
Tim Radford Guardian
Kirkus
Mathematics Today
Publishers' Weekly
Kirkus
Wall Street Journal
LA Times
Tom French Mathematical Association of America
Ian Stewart
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