Professor Stewart's incredible numbers

Renowned mathematician Ian Stewart uses remarkable (and some unremarkable) numbers to introduce readers to the beauty of mathematics. At its heart, mathematics is about numbers, our fundamental tools for understanding the world. In Professor Stewart's Incredible Numbers , Ian Stewart offers a delightful introduction to the numbers that surround us, from the common (Pi and 2) to the uncommon but no less consequential (1.059463 and 43,252,003,274,489,856,000). Along the way, Stewart takes us through prime numbers, cubic equations, the concept of zero, the possible positions on the Rubik's Cube, the role of numbers in human history, and beyond! An unfailingly genial guide, Stewart brings his characteristic wit and erudition to bear on these incredible numbers, offering an engaging primer on the principles and power of math. A Delightful Introduction To The Numbers That Surround Us, From The Common (pi And 2) To The Uncommon But No Less Consequential (1.059463 And 43,252,003,274,489,856,000). Along The Way, Stewart Takes Us Through Prime Numbers, Cubic Equations, The Concept Of Zero, The Possible Positions On The Rubik's Cube, The Role Of Numbers In Human History, And Beyond! Numbers -- The Indivisible Unit -- Odd And Even -- Cubic Equation -- Square -- Pythagorean Hypotenuse -- Kissing Number -- Fourth Prime -- Fibonacci Cube -- Magic Square -- Decimal System -- Is Nothing A Number -- Less Than Nothing -- Imaginary Number -- Dividing The Indivisible -- Approximation To [pi] -- Tower Of Hanoi -- First Known Irrational -- Circle Measurement -- Golden Number -- Natural Logarithms -- Fractals -- Sphere Packing -- Musical Scale -- Apery's Constant -- Euler's Constant -- String Theory -- Pentominoes -- Polygons And Patterns -- Birthday Paradox -- Secret Codes -- Sausage Conjecture -- Finite Geometry -- Rubik Cube -- Soduko -- Largest Known Prime -- Smallest Infinity -- Cardinal Continuum -- Not Boring At All. Ian Stewart. Includes Further Readings. Includes Bibliographical References. At its heart, mathematics is about numbers, our fundamental tools for understanding the world. In __Professor Stewart's Incredible Numbers__, Ian Stewart offers a delightful introduction to the numbers that surround us, from the common (Pi and 2) to the uncommon but no less consequential (1.059463 and 43,252,003,274,489,856,000). Along the way, Stewart takes us through prime numbers, cubic equations, the concept of zero, the possible positions on the Rubik's Cube, the role of numbers in human history, and beyond! An unfailingly genial guide, Stewart brings his characteristic wit and erudition to bear on these incredible numbers, offering an engaging primer on the principles and power of math. Numbers The indivisible unit Odd and even Cubic equation Square Pythagorean hypotenuse Kissing number Fourth prime Fibonacci cube Magic square Decimal system Is nothing a number Less than nothing Imaginary number Dividing the indivisible Approximation to [pi] Tower of Hanoi First known irrational Circle measurement Golden number Natural logarithms Fractals Sphere packing Musical scale Apery's constant Euler's constant String theory Pentominoes Polygons and patterns Birthday paradox Secret codes Sausage conjecture Finite geometry Factorials Rubik cube Sodoku Largest known prime Smallest infinity Cardinal continuum Not boring at all.