Five equations that changed the world : the power and poetry of mathematics

A Publishers Weekly best book of 1995! Dr. Michael Guillen, known to millions as the science editor of ABC's Good Morning America , tells the fascinating stories behind five mathematical equations. As a regular contributor to daytime's most popular morning news show and an instructor at Harvard University, Dr. Michael Guillen has earned the respect of millions as a clear and entertaining guide to the exhilarating world of science and mathematics. Now Dr. Guillen unravels the equations that have led to the inventions and events that characterize the modern world, one of which -- Albert Einstein's famous energy equation, E=mc2 -- enabled the creation of the nuclear bomb. Also revealed are the mathematical foundations for the moon landing, airplane travel, the electric generator -- and even life itself. Praised by Publishers Weekly as "a wholly accessible, beautifully written exploration of the potent mathematical imagination," and named a Best Nonfiction Book of 1995, the stories behind The Five Equations That Changed the World , as told by Dr. Guillen, are not only chronicles of science, but also gripping dramas of jealousy, fame, war, and discovery. From the popular science editor of ABC's Good Morning America, this is the story behind five mathematical equations that have shaped the modern world. As told by Dr. Guillen, the stories behind the creation of these formulas are not only chronicles of science, but also gripping dramas of jealousy, fame, war, and discovery. Author media. Robert Frost once suggested that a poem is a pithy form of expression that, by definition, can never be translated accurately. The same can be said about mathematics: The best way to understand and appreciate the beauty of an equation is to see it in its original, coded form. *In Five Equations That Changed the World*, Dr. Michael Guillen, known to millions as the Science Editor on ABC-TV's *Good Morning America*, reveals in simple, everyday language the secret world of mathematics through the amazing stories of the people and discoveries that led to the five most powerful and important scientific achievements in human history. It was through the brilliance of these five fascinating people that we were able to harness the power of electricity, fly in airplanes, land astronauts on the moon, build a nuclear bomb, and understand the mortality of all life on Earth. But behind these discoveries are gripping dramas of jealously, fame, war, and debate. Dr. Guillen vividly brings to life these chronicles of science by going behind the scenes and revealing the political conflicts, social upheaval, religious sanctions, family tragedies, and personal ambitions that contributed to each man's indelible place in history. The world of mathematics comes to life in *Five Equations That Changed the World* in a way that will entertain as well as enlighten. In Five Equations That Changed The World, Dr. Michael Guillen, Known To Millions As The Science Editor On Abc-tv's Good Morning America, Tells The Amazing Stories Of The People And Discoveries That Led To The Five Most Powerful And Important Scientific Achievements In Human History. In Doing So, Dr. Guillen Reveals In Simple, Everyday Language The Secret World Of Mathematics. It Was Through The Brilliance Of These Five Fascinating People: A Sickly Love-starved Loner; An Emotionally Abused Prodigy From A Dysfunctional Family; A Religious, Poverty-stricken Illiterate; A Soft-spoken Widower Living In Perilous Times; And A Smart-alecky High-school Dropout - That We Were Able To Harness The Power Of Electricity, Fly In Airplanes, Land Astronauts On The Moon, Build A Nuclear Bomb, And Understand The Mortality Of All Life On Earth.--jacket. Isaac Newton And The Universal Law Of Gravity -- Daniel Bernoulli And The Law Of Hydrodynamic Pressure -- Michael Faraday And The Law Of Electromagnetic Induction -- Rudolf Clausius And The Second Law Of Thermodynamics -- Albert Einstein And The Theory Of Special Relativity. Michael Guillen. Includes Index. "In Five Equations That Changed the World, Dr. Michael Guillen, known to millions as the Science Editor on ABC-TV's Good Morning America, tells the amazing stories of the people and discoveries that led to the five most powerful and important scientific achievements in human history. In doing so, Dr. Guillen reveals in simple, everyday language the secret world of mathematics." "It was through the brilliance of these five fascinating people: a sickly love-starved loner; an emotionally abused prodigy from a dysfunctional family; a religious, poverty-stricken illiterate; a soft-spoken widower living in perilous times; and a smart-alecky high-school dropout - that we were able to harness the power of electricity, fly in airplanes, land astronauts on the moon, build a nuclear bomb, and understand the mortality of all life on Earth."--BOOK JACKET. Read more... Isaac Newton and the universal law of gravity -- Daniel Bernoulli and the law of hydrodynamic pressure -- Michael Faraday and the law of electromagnetic induction -- Rudolf Clausius and the second law of thermodynamics -- Albert Einstein and the theory of special relativity "In Five Equations That Changed the World, Dr. Michael Guillen, known to millions as the Science Editor on ABC-TV's Good Morning America, tells the amazing stories of the people and discoveries that led to the five most powerful and important scientific achievements in human history. In doing so, Dr. Guillen reveals in simple, everyday language the secret world of mathematics." "It was through the brilliance of these five fascinating people: a sickly love-starved loner; an emotionally abused prodigy from a dysfunctional family; a religious, poverty-stricken illiterate; a soft-spoken widower living in perilous times; and a smart-alecky high-school dropout - that we were able to harness the power of electricity, fly in airplanes, land astronauts on the moon, build a nuclear bomb, and understand the mortality of all life on Earth."--Page 4 of cover For the last several months, thirteen-year-old Isaac Newton had been watching with curiosity while workmen built a windmill just outside the town of Grantham. Om Isaac Newton, Daniel Bernoulli, Michael Faraday, Rudolf Clausius og Albert Einstein