Mathematics in Nature

Author: John Adam
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400841011
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 408

Book Description
From rainbows, river meanders, and shadows to spider webs, honeycombs, and the markings on animal coats, the visible world is full of patterns that can be described mathematically. Examining such readily observable phenomena, this book introduces readers to the beauty of nature as revealed by mathematics and the beauty of mathematics as revealed in nature. Generously illustrated, written in an informal style, and replete with examples from everyday life, Mathematics in Nature is an excellent and undaunting introduction to the ideas and methods of mathematical modeling. It illustrates how mathematics can be used to formulate and solve puzzles observed in nature and to interpret the solutions. In the process, it teaches such topics as the art of estimation and the effects of scale, particularly what happens as things get bigger. Readers will develop an understanding of the symbiosis that exists between basic scientific principles and their mathematical expressions as well as a deeper appreciation for such natural phenomena as cloud formations, halos and glories, tree heights and leaf patterns, butterfly and moth wings, and even puddles and mud cracks. Developed out of a university course, this book makes an ideal supplemental text for courses in applied mathematics and mathematical modeling. It will also appeal to mathematics educators and enthusiasts at all levels, and is designed so that it can be dipped into at leisure.

Patterns in Nature

Author: Jennifer Rozines Roy
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
ISBN: 9780761419990
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 36

Book Description
Reinforces both pattern identification and reading skills, stimulates critical thinking, and provides students with an understanding of math in the real world.

Math in Nature

Author: Nancy Dickmann
Publisher: Hungry Tomato (R)
ISBN: 1541500997
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 36

Book Description
"Learn about number patterns that exist in a sunflower, the reason behind the hexagonal shape of a honeycomb, and all about the Fibonacci sequence. High impact photographs will draw in young readers as they learn about mathematical concepts that exist outside their front door."--]cProvided by publisher.

The Mathematics of Patterns, Symmetries, and Beauties in Nature

Author: Bourama Toni
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9783030922948
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
This unique book gathers various scientific and mathematical approaches to and descriptions of the natural and physical world stemming from a broad range of mathematical areas – from model systems, differential equations, statistics, and probability – all of which scientifically and mathematically reveal the inherent beauty of natural and physical phenomena. Topics include Archimedean and Non-Archimedean approaches to mathematical modeling; thermography model with application to tungiasis inflammation of the skin; modeling of a tick-Killing Robot; various aspects of the mathematics for Covid-19, from simulation of social distancing scenarios to the evolution dynamics of the coronavirus in some given tropical country to the spatiotemporal modeling of the progression of the pandemic. Given its scope and approach, the book will benefit researchers and students of mathematics, the sciences and engineering, and everyone else with an appreciation for the beauty of nature. The outcome is a mathematical enrichment of nature’s beauty in its various manifestations. This volume honors Dr. John Adam, a Professor at Old Dominion University, USA, for his lifetime achievements in the fields of mathematical modeling and applied mathematics. Dr. Adam has published over 110 papers and authored several books.

The Nature of Mathematics

Author: Philip E. B. Jourdain
Publisher: Courier Corporation
ISBN: 0486154963
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 82

Book Description
Anyone interested in mathematics will appreciate this survey, which explores the distinction between the body of knowledge known as mathematics and the methods used in its discovery. 1913 edition.

Nature's Numbers

Author: Ian Stewart
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN: 0786723920
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 179

Book Description
"It appears to us that the universe is structured in a deeply mathematical way. Falling bodies fall with predictable accelerations. Eclipses can be accurately forecast centuries in advance. Nuclear power plants generate electricity according to well-known formulas. But those examples are the tip of the iceberg. In Nature's Numbers, Ian Stewart presents many more, each charming in its own way.. Stewart admirably captures compelling and accessible mathematical ideas along with the pleasure of thinking of them. He writes with clarity and precision. Those who enjoy this sort of thing will love this book."—Los Angeles Times

The Nature of Mathematical Knowledge

Author: Philip Kitcher
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0195035410
Category : Electronic books
Languages : en
Pages : 300

Book Description
This book argues against the view that mathematical knowledge is a priori, contending that mathematics is an empirical science and develops historically, just as natural sciences do. Kitcher presents a complete, systematic, and richly detailed account of the nature of mathematical knowledge and its historical development, focusing on such neglected issues as how and why mathematical language changes, why certain questions assume overriding importance, and how standards of proof are modified.

The Nature and Power of Mathematics

Author: Donald M. Davis
Publisher: Courier Corporation
ISBN: 0486152154
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 408

Book Description
This captivating book explains some of the most fascinating ideas of mathematics to nonspecialists, focusing on non-Euclidean geometry, number theory, and fractals. Numerous illustrations. 1993 edition.

Growing Patterns

Author: Sarah C. Campbell
Publisher: Astra Publishing House
ISBN: 1635928370
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 35

Book Description
ALSC Notable Children's Book A wonderful introduction to one of the most beautiful connections between mathematics and the natural world–the Fibonacci sequence–through a series of stunning nature photographs. Discover the biggest mathematical mystery in nature—Fibonacci numbers! Named after a famous mathematician, the number pattern is simple and starts with: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13. Each number in the sequence comes from adding the two numbers before it. What's the mystery? The pattern crops up in the most unexpected places. You'll find it in the disk of a sunflower, the skin of a pineapple, and the spiral of a nautilus shell. This book brings math alive, celebrates science, and will inspire kids to see nature through new eyes.

A Mathematical Nature Walk

Author: John Adam
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 140083290X
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 272

Book Description
How heavy is that cloud? Why can you see farther in rain than in fog? Why are the droplets on that spider web spaced apart so evenly? If you have ever asked questions like these while outdoors, and wondered how you might figure out the answers, this is a book for you. An entertaining and informative collection of fascinating puzzles from the natural world around us, A Mathematical Nature Walk will delight anyone who loves nature or math or both. John Adam presents ninety-six questions about many common natural phenomena--and a few uncommon ones--and then shows how to answer them using mostly basic mathematics. Can you weigh a pumpkin just by carefully looking at it? Why can you see farther in rain than in fog? What causes the variations in the colors of butterfly wings, bird feathers, and oil slicks? And why are large haystacks prone to spontaneous combustion? These are just a few of the questions you'll find inside. Many of the problems are illustrated with photos and drawings, and the book also has answers, a glossary of terms, and a list of some of the patterns found in nature. About a quarter of the questions can be answered with arithmetic, and many of the rest require only precalculus. But regardless of math background, readers will learn from the informal descriptions of the problems and gain a new appreciation of the beauty of nature and the mathematics that lies behind it.