The Mathematical Tourist: New and Updated Snapshots of Modern Mathematics [Paperback]

Ivars Peterson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0805071598 | ISBN-13: 978-0805071597 | Publication Date: April 15, 1998 | Edition: 1

In the first edition of The Mathematical Tourist, renowned science journalist Ivars Peterson took readers on an unforgettable tour through the sometimes bizarre, but always fascinating, landscape of modern mathematics. Now the journey continues in a new, updated edition that includes all the latest information on mathematical proofs, fractals, prime numbers, and chaos, as well as new material on

* the relationship between mathematical knots and DNA
* how computers based on quantum logic can significantly speed up the factoring of large composite numbers
* the relationship between four-dimensional geometry and physical theories of the nature of matter
* the application of cellular automata models to social questions and the peregrinations of virtual ants
* a novel mathematical model of quasicrystals based on decagon-shaped tiles

Blazing a trail through rows of austere symbols and dense lines of formulae, Peterson explores the central ideas behind the work of professional mathematicians-- how and where their pieces of the mathematical puzzle fit in, the sources of their ideas, their fountains of inspiration, and the images that carry them from one discovery to another.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When the first edition of Ivars Peterson's The Mathematical Tourist was published in 1988, the New York Times called it "a rich array of ideas, drawing on virtually every branch of mathematics and bunging in plenty of late-breaking developments to boot." Now Peterson has expanded this popular book to feature another decade of mathematical progress, including new sections on crystal structure, string theory, mathematicians' use of computers, chaos theory, and Fermat's Last Theorem. Most of the other sections have been reworked and reworded as well, and there are many new illustrations. One thing that has not changed is the clarity of Peterson's writing and his almost unparalleled ability to make mathematical ideas themselves interesting, without focusing on the lives and personalities of mathematicians. Martin Gardner called the first edition "a travel guide that the professional mathematician will read with as much excitement and pleasure as the veriest amateur ... a masterpiece of popular exposition," and this second edition is no less. --Mary Ellen Curtin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Ivars Peterson is the heir-apparent to Martin Gardner as the philosopher king of mathematics for the public."--Economist

"A top-notch survey of the frontiers of contemporary mathematics. Far from being old and musty, mathematics is alive, vital, and vibrant, full of interesting, unanswered questions that Peterson makes accessible to nonexpert but attentive readers."--Los Angeles Times

"Anybody can read it with pleasure, and it will fill you with sights and sounds enough to make you want to return again and again."--New Scientist

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; 1 edition (April 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805071598
• ISBN-13: 978-0805071597
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,202,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best explanations of mathematics you will find, March 19, 2001

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mathematical Tourist: New and Updated Snapshots of Modern Mathematics (Paperback)

Writing popular mathematics well is a very hard task. While some poetic license is allowed, the quality of the book is always dependent on how well the mathematics is explained. The good ones never write themselves into a corner, but always seem to be moving along the side of a Moebius strip, so that even the old appears new. This book, an update of the original published ten years ago, is self-referential in that regard.
If you have read any popular works in mathematics over the last decade, then many of the topics in this book will be familiar. However, Peterson writes so well that even that which should be routine becomes interesting once again. There is also new material covering recent advances such as the "proof" of Fermat's Last Theorem, using quantum computers to solve combinatorially explosive problems and multi-dimensional string theory. Written at a level accessible to the interested lay person, this book is a smooth journey through the labyrinth of current mathematical progress. ....

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great tour of the World of Mathematics, November 20, 2001

By 

sowmya (Sunnyvale,CA,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mathematical Tourist: New and Updated Snapshots of Modern Mathematics (Paperback)

The journey begins.Attention Passengers!We first arrive at Numeralis..

What a way to start the journey to the world of Mathematics.You open the book and start reading it.True to the title he takes you to a guided tour into the world of Mathematics considering each pillar of Mathematics as a country on its own.
I have a read a four Volume series on the World of Mathematics by Newmann and I did wonder how beautifully the Mathematical areas with its own *Scenic beauty* has been described.But when I read this one,Yes ! I did get a feeling of having travelled to Mathematics World visited each place and had a good insight into each one.
Ivars Peterson starts the journey by first visiting the Number World.He names this as the "Prime pursuit" and then slowly into the *theory of mathematical spaces* -topology and minimal surfaces.Wait!I hear you asking if it is all about pure mathematics.Certainly not,then and there to make the passengers feel comfortable ,just like a real guide ,he introduces the usefulness of the concepts in the emperical world.Be it quantum computing-the century's scientific thirst or the age-old yet golden primes ,the journey is very smooth ,no harsh surprises what one would term as mathematics of the mathematicians.This one is for the layman..A cool and lucid entry and exit in the world of Mathematics.
After reading this book you will wonder,"have I visited so many *places* " but you will feel that you have learnt so many Mathematical stuffs,what this world is all about and mind you ,all these without even the slightest fatigue:)

A must read Popular Maths Book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take the Tour, January 1, 2004

By 

Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mathematical Tourist: Snapshots of Modern Mathematics (Paperback)

Let me start off by saying that this is not a work for the layman or the mentally lazy. It deals with several outstanding mathematical issues in so far as they relate to our understanding of the universe. The writing is erudite, refined and continually interesting. Subjects as far-ranging as knot theory (I didn't know it existed), fractals, prime numbers, multi-dimensions, shapes, hyperspace - it's all here with a large number of illustrations and drawings including several color plates of fractals produced by computer.