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When Least Is Best: How Mathematicians Discovered Many Clever Ways to Make Things as Small (or as Large) as Possible
Paul J. Nahin
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Description for When Least Is Best: How Mathematicians Discovered Many Clever Ways to Make Things as Small (or as Large) as Possible
Paperback. Shows how life often works at the extremes - with values becoming as small (or as large) as possible - and how mathematicians over the centuries have struggled to calculate these problems of minima and maxima. This is the book on optimization for math enthusiasts of all backgrounds. Num Pages: 392 pages, 99 line illus. BIC Classification: PBU; PBX; PDZM. Category: (G) General (US: Trade); (P) Professional & Vocational; (U) Tertiary Education (US: College). Dimension: 235 x 155 x 24. Weight in Grams: 562.
What is the best way to photograph a speeding bullet? Why does light move through glass in the least amount of time possible? How can lost hikers find their way out of a forest? What will rainbows look like in the future? Why do soap bubbles have a shape that gives them the least area? By combining the mathematical history of extrema with contemporary examples, Paul J. Nahin answers these intriguing questions and more in this engaging and witty volume. He shows how life often works at the extremes--with values becoming as small (or as large) as possible--and how mathematicians ... Read more
What is the best way to photograph a speeding bullet? Why does light move through glass in the least amount of time possible? How can lost hikers find their way out of a forest? What will rainbows look like in the future? Why do soap bubbles have a shape that gives them the least area? By combining the mathematical history of extrema with contemporary examples, Paul J. Nahin answers these intriguing questions and more in this engaging and witty volume. He shows how life often works at the extremes--with values becoming as small (or as large) as possible--and how mathematicians ... Read more
Product Details
Publisher
Princeton University Press United States
Number of pages
400
Format
Paperback
Publication date
2007
Condition
New
Weight
561g
Number of Pages
392
Place of Publication
New Jersey, United States
ISBN
9780691130521
SKU
V9780691130521
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 7 to 11 working days
Ref
99-1
About Paul J. Nahin
Paul J. Nahin is Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering at the University of New Hampshire. He is the author of many books, including the bestselling "An Imaginary Tale: The Story of the Square Root of Minus One", "Duelling Idiots and Other Probability Puzzlers", and "Dr. Euler's Fabulous Formula: Cures Many Mathematical Ills" (all Princeton).
Reviews for When Least Is Best: How Mathematicians Discovered Many Clever Ways to Make Things as Small (or as Large) as Possible
"This book was terrific fun to read! I thought I would skim the chapters to write my review, but I was hooked by the preface, and read through the first 100 pages in one sitting... [Nahin shows] obvious delight and enjoyment
he is having fun and it is contagious."
Bonnie Shulman, MAA Online "When Least is Best is clearly the result of ... Read more
he is having fun and it is contagious."
Bonnie Shulman, MAA Online "When Least is Best is clearly the result of ... Read more