Numbers at Work: A Cultural Perspective

by Rudolf Taschner

Overview

Drawing primarily from historical examples, this book explains the tremendous role that numbers and, in particular, mathematics play in all aspects of our civilization and culture. The lively style and illustrative examples will engage the reader who wants to understand the many ways in which mathematics enables science, technology, art, music, pol

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040052884
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	05/31/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Rudolf Taschner, named "Scientist of the Year" by the Austrian Association of Science Journalists in 2004, is the creator of math.space, a one-of-a-kind project located at the Viennese MuseumsQuartier, one of the world's ten biggest museum complexes. He is the author of several popular scientific books and is a frequent lecturer on popular and technical science topics.

Table of Contents

Preface, Pythagoras: Numbers and Symbol, Bach: Numbers and Music, Hofmannsthal: Numbers and Time, Descartes: Numbers and Space, Leibniz: Numbers and Logic, Laplace: Numbers and Politics, Bohr: Numbers and Matter, Pascal: Numbers and Spirit, Notes, Acknowledgments, Figure Credits, Bibliography

What People are Saying About This

Alfred S. Posamentier

"Faced with pride in mathematical illiteracy if not outright hostility towards the subject by many bright and well-educated people, we need books like Numbers at Work: A Cultural Perspective, written by a level-headed mathematician with a broad interest in the humanities, to guide us in our educational quest to bridge the 'Two Cultures' described by C. P. Snow."--(Alfred S. Posamentier, author of The Fabulous Fibonacci Numbers)

From the Publisher

" "[with] facile knowledge and sprightly delivery ... [Taschner] creates a flow that embraces various aspects of reality. Readers of this book will take away the understanding that mathematics is an integral part of nearly everything they do." -—Philip J. Davis,, Bridges, April 2007

are everywhere, in mathematics, logic and computers, in physics and astronomy, in music and art, for the passing of time and the calender, and in politics... Rudolf Taschner's book shows us the mysteries of numbers as part of the cultural history of mankind. It is fascinating reading for an interested general public, including students and teachers (not only in mathematics), and for professional scientists."-—Friedrich Hirzebruch,, Max-Planck-Institut für Mathematik, April 2007

with pride in mathematical illiteracy if not outright hostility towards the subject by many bright and well-educated people, we need books like Numbers at Work: A Cultural Perspective, written by a level-headed mathematician with a broad interest in the humanities, to guide us in our educational quest to bridge the 'Two Cultures' described by C. P. Snow."

-Alfred S. Posamentier, author of The Fabulous Fibonacci Numbers -Posamentier, June 2007

Numbers at Work is really a sort of modern cabinet of curiosities collected from the mathematical world... in the best sense: Taschner has created a collection of interesting and wonderful facts which illustrate how mathematics is involved in many areas of human endeavor. Reading such a book leaves one with two feelings: the world is full of marvels, and human intelligence is also a marvelous thing...the text is lively and easily comprehensible by non-specialits. -MAA, August 2007

A fascinating reading on the history and use of numbers. A deeper background in mathematics is not necessary in order to read, enjoy and learn from this book. Recommended to all readers interested in the world around us and wanting to understand the importance of numbers in our daily lives. -EMS, September 2007

As a mathematician with interests in history, I did not expect to learn a great deal from such a popularisation, but was pleasantly surprised to have my expectations dashed. There are many gems to be found in this book that I have not seen elsewhere, and we owe a great deal to the formidable erudition of Professor Taschner. -Phill Shultz, Gazette of the Australian Mathematical Society, November 2007

"Pythagoras, Bach, Hofmannsthal, Descartes, Leibniz, Laplace, Bohr, Pascal - ... a discursive journey along a thread of ideas crossing temporal and geographical boundaries and ranging over philosophy, art and science." -Mathematiacl Reviews, January 2008

"All that is required is an interest in the world around us and a desire to understand the impact and influence that numbers have, both historically and in our daily lives." -L'Enseignement Mathématique, July 2007

"Taschner is a gifted writer, and his book is accessible to a broad audience. ... I highly recommend this book as an interesting, comprehensive reference for students as well as preservice and in-service educators. The relevant applications of numbers discussed here can serve as a means of motivating even the most reluctant learner to study numbers." -Cathleen M. Zucco-Teveloff, Mathematics Teacher, August 2008

"A superb text that appeals to a very wide audience, it illuminates the multifaceted nature of mathematics and emphasizes its deepest links with cultural, historical, spiritual, ideological, and scientific evolution of our society." -Zentralblatt MATH, February 2009"

Friedrich Hirzebruch

"Numbers are everywhere, in mathematics, logic and computers, in physics and astronomy, in music and art, for the passing of time and the calender, and in politics . . . Rudolf Taschner's book shows us the mysteries of numbers as part of the cultural history of mankind. It is fascinating reading for an interested general public, including students and teachers (not only in mathematics), and for professional scientists."--(Friedrich Hirzebruch, Max-Planck-Institut für Mathematik)

Editorial Reviews

Numbers at Work is really a sort of modern cabinet of curiosities collected from the mathematical world . . . in the best sense: Taschner has created a collection of interesting and wonderful facts which illustrate how mathematics is involved in many areas of human endeavor. Reading such a book leaves one with two feelings: the world is full of marvels, and human intelligence is also a marvelous thing . . . the text is lively and easily comprehensible by non-specialists.

MAA Reviews Mathematical Association of America

A fascinating reading on the history and use of numbers. A deeper background in mathematics is not necessary in order to read, enjoy and learn from this book. Recommended to all readers interested in the world around us and wanting to understand the importance of numbers in our daily lives.

EMS Newsletter European Mathematical Society

"[with] facile knowledge and sprightly delivery ... [Taschner] creates a flow that embraces various aspects of reality. Readers of this book will take away the understanding that mathematics is an integral part of nearly everything they do." -—Philip J. Davis,, Bridges, April 2007
are everywhere, in mathematics, logic and computers, in physics and astronomy, in music and art, for the passing of time and the calender, and in politics... Rudolf Taschner's book shows us the mysteries of numbers as part of the cultural history of mankind. It is fascinating reading for an interested general public, including students and teachers (not only in mathematics), and for professional scientists."-—Friedrich Hirzebruch,, Max-Planck-Institut für Mathematik, April 2007
with pride in mathematical illiteracy if not outright hostility towards the subject by many bright and well-educated people, we need books like Numbers at Work: A Cultural Perspective, written by a level-headed mathematician with a broad interest in the humanities, to guide us in our educational quest to bridge the 'Two Cultures' described by C. P. Snow."

-Alfred S. Posamentier, author of The Fabulous Fibonacci Numbers -Posamentier, June 2007
Numbers at Work is really a sort of modern cabinet of curiosities collected from the mathematical world... in the best sense: Taschner has created a collection of interesting and wonderful facts which illustrate how mathematics is involved in many areas of human endeavor. Reading such a book leaves one with two feelings: the world is full of marvels, and human intelligence is also a marvelous thing...the text is lively and easily comprehensible by non-specialits. -MAA, August 2007
A fascinating reading on the history and use of numbers. A deeper background in mathematics is not necessary in order to read, enjoy and learn from this book. Recommended to all readers interested in the world around us and wanting to understand the importance of numbers in our daily lives. -EMS, September 2007
As a mathematician with interests in history, I did not expect to learn a great deal from such a popularisation, but was pleasantly surprised to have my expectations dashed. There are many gems to be found in this book that I have not seen elsewhere, and we owe a great deal to the formidable erudition of Professor Taschner. -Phill Shultz, Gazette of the Australian Mathematical Society, November 2007
"Pythagoras, Bach, Hofmannsthal, Descartes, Leibniz, Laplace, Bohr, Pascal - ... a discursive journey along a thread of ideas crossing temporal and geographical boundaries and ranging over philosophy, art and science." -Mathematiacl Reviews, January 2008
"All that is required is an interest in the world around us and a desire to understand the impact and influence that numbers have, both historically and in our daily lives." -L'Enseignement Mathématique, July 2007
"Taschner is a gifted writer, and his book is accessible to a broad audience. ... I highly recommend this book as an interesting, comprehensive reference for students as well as preservice and in-service educators. The relevant applications of numbers discussed here can serve as a means of motivating even the most reluctant learner to study numbers." -Cathleen M. Zucco-Teveloff, Mathematics Teacher, August 2008
"A superb text that appeals to a very wide audience, it illuminates the multifaceted nature of mathematics and emphasizes its deepest links with cultural, historical, spiritual, ideological, and scientific evolution of our society." -Zentralblatt MATH, February 2009

From the Publisher