Symmetry
A Mathematical Journey
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Symmetry is all around us. Of fundamental significance to the way we interpret the world, this unique, pervasive phenomenon indicates a dynamic relationship between objects. Combining a rich historical narrative with his own personal journey as a mathematician, Marcus du Sautoy takes a unique look into the mathematical mind as he explores deep conjectures about symmetry and brings us face-to-face with the oddball mathematicians, both past and present, who have battled to understand symmetry's elusive qualities.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
When most of us think of symmetry, we think of looking into a mirror or playing patty-cake with a child. As Oxford don du Sautoy (The Music of the Primes) tells readers, this is only the tip of the triangle in the mathematical realms of symmetry, where symmetrical objects exist in dimensions far beyond our ability to imagine. The author takes readers gently by the hand and leads them elegantly through some steep and rocky terrain as he explains the various kinds of symmetry and the objects they swirl around. Du Sautoy explains how this twirling world of geometric figures has strange but marvelous connections to number theory, and how the ultimate symmetrical object, nicknamed "the Monster," is related to string theory. This book is also a memoir in which du Sautoy describes a mathematician's life and how one makes a discovery in these strange lands. He also blends in minibiographies of famous figures like Galois, who played significant roles in this field. This is mainly for science buffs, but fans of scientific biographies will also find it appealing. B&w illus.
Customer Reviews
Symmetry Marcus Du Sautoy
Reading "A Journey into the Patterns of Nature" has been a griping narrative.
I am self-employed in construction as a house builder-researcher. Consequently I have pursued an interest evident in the long history of the underlying symmetries of common tiles, bricks, building blocks, and structural panels. This is the most obvious reason why I have come to read this excellent book. It has deeply matured my intuitive understanding of the elusive nature of patterns and structure.
It now seems to me less an odd coincidence as the narrative reveals so beautifully how it is this deep underlying symmetry that can help illuminate the path of those who may, for many different reasons, learn to trust and follow its lead made somehow more tangible by these many others who "as a community", have achieved this stunning epic of circumnavigating a world of symmetry.