The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved: How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry - Hardcover
Synopsis
The story of symmetry is a story of brilliant mathematicians, and a fascinating account of how mathematics illuminates a wide variety of disciplines. It explains how J.S. Bach composed, how the rubik's cube was invented and why we are sexually attracted to other people.Over the millennia, mathematicians had solved progressively more difficult algebraic equations until they came to the quintic equation. It resisted solution for several centuries, until two mathematical prodigies independently discovered that it could not be solved by the usual methods and opened the door to group theory. These young geniuses, a Norwegian named Niels Henrik Abel and the Frenchman, �varist Galois, would both die tragically. Galois spent the night before his death in a duel (aged only twenty) scribbling another summary of his proof, writing in the margin of his "I have no time".
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From the Publisher
"Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how the apparently remote concerns of pure mathematics can lead too deep and practical insights into the natural world." --Ian Stewart, author of DOES GOD PLAY DICE?
"A highly readable and illuminating book." --Sir Michael Atiyah, Abel Prize in Mathematics Laureate 2004
About the Author
Mario Livio is a Senior Astronomer and the former Head of the Science Division at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), the institute that conducts the scientific program of the Hubble Space Telescope. He received his Ph.D. in theoretical astrophysics from Tel Aviv University in Israel and was a professor in the Physics Department at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology from 1981 to 1991, when he joined STScI. Dr. Livio has published more than 400 scientific papers and has received numerous awards for research and for excellence in teaching. He is the author of The Golden Ratio, a highly acclaimed book about mathematics and art for which he received the International Pythagoras Prize and the Peano Prize, and The Accelerating Universe.
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The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved: How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry
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The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved: How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry
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Profile Books Ltd, United Kingdom, 2006
ISBN 10: 0285637436
ISBN 13: 9780285637436
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The story of symmetry is a story of brilliant mathematicians, and a fascinating account of how mathematics illuminates a wide variety of disciplines. It explains how J.S. Bach composed, how the rubik's cube was invented and why we are sexually attracted to other people. Over the millennia, mathematicians had solved progressively more difficult algebraic equations until they came to the quintic equation. It resisted solution for several centuries, until two mathematical prodigies independently discovered that it could not be solved by the usual methods and opened the door to group theory. These young geniuses, a Norwegian named Niels Henrik Abel and the Frenchman, Evarist Galois, would both die tragically. Galois spent the night before his death in a duel (aged only twenty) scribbling another summary of his proof, writing in the margin of his notebook: "I have no time". The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002671091
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The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved: How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry [Hardcover] Livio, Mario
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Equation That Couldn't be Solved: How a Mathmatical Genius Discovered
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Hardback. Mario Livio, Profile Books Ltd. This book is already praised as an exceptionally accessible, entertaining, and informed account of one of the great mysteries of mathematics. Ian Stewart, author of "Does God Play Dice?", says: "A gripping tale.Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how the apparently remote concerns of pure mathematics can lead to deep and practical insights into the natural world." Popular Science is a growth area, and this is one of the finest books of the year. High profile serialisation, reviews on the literary pages as well as in specialist magazines. Mathematical symmetry is thought to be much too difficult for most laypeople to understand, but this engaging book approaches it in an elegantly entertaining way. The title's formula is the "quintic" equation (involving x raised to the fifth power), the analysis of which gave rise to "group theory," the mathematical apparatus scientists use to explore symmetry. A leading astrophysicist, Livio, keeps the science flowing with digressions into human interest (e.g., the founder of group theory, Evariste Galois, was a revolutionary firebrand who died in 1832 at age 20 in a duel over "an infamous coquette"), pop psychology (women have more orgasms when their partners have symmetrical faces), and strategies for finding a soul mate, as well as appreciations of art and music. Hardback. Seller Inventory # 9780285637436-SECONDHAND
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The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved: How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry Livio, Mario
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The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved: How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry Livio, Mario
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