How Numbers Work

Resumen del libro

Think of a number between one and ten. No, hang on, let's make this interesting. Between zero and infinity.

Even if you stick to the whole numbers, there are a lot to choose from - an infinite number in fact. Throw in decimal fractions and infinity suddenly gets an awful lot bigger (is that even possible?) And then there are the negative numbers, the imaginary numbers, the irrational numbers like pi which never end. It literally never ends.

The world of numbers is indeed strange and beautiful. Among its inhabitants are some really notable characters - pi, e, the "imaginary" number i and the famous golden ratio to name just a few. Prime numbers occupy a special status.

Zero is very odd indeed: is it a number, or isn't it?How Numbers Work takes a tour of this mind-blowing but beautiful realm of numbers and the mathematical rules that connect them. Not only that, but take a crash course on the biggest unsolved problems that keep mathematicians up at night, find out about the strange and unexpected ways mathematics influences our everyday lives, and discover the incredible connection between numbers and reality itself. ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds.

Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.

Biografía del autor

La revista "New Scientist" lleva 60 años informando sobre la sorprendente creatividad de la naturaleza y del ser humano. Se ha convertido en la publicación científica semanal más vendida del mundo gracias al modo en que trata los descubrimientos e inventos más recientes, incluyendo su relevancia y sus implicaciones. <br> <br> Graham Lawton<br> Editor ejecutivo de "New Scientist". Es autor y editor de "El origen de (casi) todo", libro ilustrado de New Scientist anterior a este y publicado en Alianza Editorial. <br> <br> Jeremy Webb<br> Antiguo redactor jefe de "New Scientist". En la actualidad, se dedica a escribir libros científicos para el gran público. <br> <br> Jennifer Daniel<br> Directora creativa en Google, colabora con regularidad con el "New York Times" y el "New Yorker".