Number-Crunching (eBook)

Taming Unruly Computational Problems from Mathematical Physics to Science Fiction

Paul Nahin (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF | EPUB

2011
408 Seiten
Princeton University Press (Verlag)
978-1-4008-3958-2 (ISBN)

Infos

Paul J. Nahin is the author of many best-selling popular math books, including Mrs. Perkins's Electric Quilt, Digital Dice, Chases and Escapes, Dr. Euler's Fabulous Formula, When Least Is Best, and An Imaginary Tale (all Princeton). He is professor emeritus of electrical engineering at the University of New Hampshire.

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More stimulating mathematics puzzles from bestselling author Paul NahinHow do technicians repair broken communications cables at the bottom of the ocean without actually seeing them? What's the likelihood of plucking a needle out of a haystack the size of the Earth? And is it possible to use computers to create a universal library of everything ever written or every photo ever taken? These are just some of the intriguing questions that best-selling popular math writer Paul Nahin tackles in Number-Crunching. Through brilliant math ideas and entertaining stories, Nahin demonstrates how odd and unusual math problems can be solved by bringing together basic physics ideas and today's powerful computers. Some of the outcomes discussed are so counterintuitive they will leave readers astonished.Nahin looks at how the art of number-crunching has changed since the advent of computers, and how high-speed technology helps to solve fascinating conundrums such as the three-body, Monte Carlo, leapfrog, and gambler's ruin problems. Along the way, Nahin traverses topics that include algebra, trigonometry, geometry, calculus, number theory, differential equations, Fourier series, electronics, and computers in science fiction. He gives historical background for the problems presented, offers many examples and numerous challenges, supplies MATLAB codes for all the theories discussed, and includes detailed and complete solutions.Exploring the intimate relationship between mathematics, physics, and the tremendous power of modern computers, Number-Crunching will appeal to anyone interested in understanding how these three important fields join forces to solve today's thorniest puzzles.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 8.8.2011
• Zusatzinfo: 4 halftones. 98 line illus. 6 tables.
• Verlagsort: Princeton
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Natur / Technik
• Themenwelt: Mathematik / Informatik ► Informatik ► Programmiersprachen / -werkzeuge
• Themenwelt: Mathematik / Informatik ► Informatik ► Theorie / Studium
• Themenwelt: Mathematik / Informatik ► Mathematik ► Allgemeines / Lexika
• Themenwelt: Mathematik / Informatik ► Mathematik ► Mathematische Spiele und Unterhaltung
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften
• Schlagworte: acceleration • Addition • Admittance • Alan Turing • algorithm • Amplitude • Calculation • capacitor • Cartesian coordinate system • Center of mass (relativistic) • chaos theory • Circular Orbit • Compiler • Complex conjugate • complex number • Computation • Computer • computer programming • Computer Scientist • computer simulation • conjecture • continued fraction • coordinate system • Desk • differential equation • Division by zero • Electrical Engineering • Elliptic Integral • Energy • Engineering • eniac • Equation • equilateral triangle • Euler's identity • Fermat's Last Theorem • flow diagram • FORTRAN • Fourier • Geometry • Gravity • Home Computer • Hooke's law • inductor • Initial Condition • Instant • Integer • Integrated circuit • Integrator • Laplace's equation • Laplace transform • Lecture • linear differential equation • Mathematical Physics • mathematician • Mathematics • MATLAB • Nanosecond • normal mode • Notation • Numerical analysis • Orbital period • ordinary differential equation • Paul J. Nahin • Personal Computer • Phase (waves) • physicist • polynomial • Prediction • Princeton University Press • Probability • Problem Statement • Pure Mathematics • Quadratic formula • Quantity • quantum electrodynamics • resistor • result • Richard Feynman • Riemann hypothesis • Robert A. Heinlein • Science Fiction • Significant figures • Sign (mathematics) • Simulation • solver • Special case • square root • Stanislaw Ulam • state variable • Technology • Theorem • Thought • Three-body problem • Transfer Function • Transistor • Univac • Variable (computer science) • Variable (mathematics) • Writing • year
• ISBN-10: 1-4008-3958-0 / 1400839580
• ISBN-13: 978-1-4008-3958-2 / 9781400839582