From Newton’s Law of Gravity to the Black-Scholes model used by bankers to predict the markets, equations, are everywhere — and they are fundamental to everyday life.Seventeen Equations that Changed the World examines seventeen ground-breaking equations that have altered the course of human history. He explores how Pythagoras’s Theorem led to GPS and Satnav; how logarithms are applied in architecture; why imaginary numbers were important in the development of the digital camera, and what is really going on with Schrödinger’s cat.
Entertaining, surprising and vastly informative, Seventeen Equations that Changed the World is a highly original exploration — and explanation — of life on earth.
About the author
Ian Stewart is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics atthe University of Warwick and the author of the bestseller Professor Stewart’s Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities.His recent books include Do Dice Play God?, Significant Figures, Professor Stewart’s Incredible Numbers, Seventeen Equations that Changed the World, Professor Stewart’s Casebook of Mathematical Mysteries and Calculating the Cosmos.He is a Fellow of the Royal Society.