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Title: The Shape of Space (Pure and Applied Mathematics)
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Manufacturer: CRC
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| The Shape of Space (Pure and Applied Mathematics) by CRC Magic book on Topology for educated commons |
This is a great book for anyone who is interest in Mathematical Topology and Cosmology Topology. This book does not require a reader to have strong mathematics knowledge. It only requires a reader to have patience to think and solve some problems in the book. The most brilliant point in this book is using diagrams to illustrate the Topology concepts, such as Manifold. This help the reader to get a "feeling" of some really difficult concepts in Topology. This book should be a classic like "Flatland".
chris tam
hong kong |
| The Shape of Space (Pure and Applied Mathematics) by CRC The joy of math |
I have a bachelors degree in Math.
As Feynman said, what we really mean by math is careful reasoning. This book brings you the joy of careful reasoning, guided by an expert.
Perhaps what turns some people off math in school is that the supreme example of careful reasoning is the mathematical PROOF. (Or perhaps it's just that most math teachers are so poor.) A proof tends to look dull and ponderous on the outside, and a student can easily miss the beauty of the underlying ideas. On the other hand, for your own amusement you can figure something out to your own satisfaction, without necessarily constructing a watertight proof. This book helps you do just that.
Many newspapers contain Sudoku problems, often with the reassuring claim that no math is required! People who hated math in school can be seen working happily on Sudoku puzzles, for the sheer joy of exercising their ability to reason carefully. The same ability would bring them far more joy while reading this book and answering the puzzles/exercises spinkled throughout. |
| The Shape of Space (Pure and Applied Mathematics) by CRC Excellent Introduction, No Assumptions |
This text is non-intimidating as an introduction to topology. Weeks carefully guides the reader through the building blocks of torii, Moebius strips, projective planes, and other surfaces. After working appropriate exercises, the reader gets a chance to visualize 3-manifolds and connected sums. Some aspects of these two topics can be difficult to explain, but analogies are applied to make understanding attainable. Further, figures and illustrations exist throughout the text, and these are definitely helpful for visualizing connected sums and non-orientable surfaces (both one-sided and two-sided).
(I especially like the approach to the Gauss-Bonet theorem using double lunes. It is a carefully crafted derivation with plenty of illustrations to avoid confusion.)
Some may think this text is too simple, but it is a "must read" for anyone who has not encountered topology and who wants to do individual research on the topic. Many texts claim to be introductory texts, but they are actually designed for those who already have a degree in math and who have seen similar subject matter. However, this one is definitely for "newbies." So don't worry. |
| The Shape of Space (Pure and Applied Mathematics) by CRC Interesting book |
This is a painless way to learn some advanced topology--or at least to gain insight. It's almost a picture book. Most problems include solutions and require only a few minutes of thought. They are also worth solving.
Now that I understand what is meant be a certain topology of the cosmos, I'm astounded that anybody actually considers it possible. Fascinating. |
| The Shape of Space (Pure and Applied Mathematics) by CRC Easy Reading |
| This is a very good book for people whom have a light background in math. It is a readable book and great introduction into manifolds and torus. As a mathematican I am amazed with the quality of material, examples, and thus provide one with the ability to understand the topics. I plan to use this book and some of its topics in future teachings. Thus I recommend this book for anyone especially for people who struggle with math. |
| The Shape of Space (Pure and Applied Mathematics) by CRC Product Description |
| Maintaining the standard of excellence set by the previous edition, this textbook covers the basic geometry of two- and three-dimensional spaces Written by a master expositor, leading researcher in the field, and MacArthur Fellow, it includes experiments to determine the true shape of the universe and contains illustrated examples and engaging exercises that teach mind-expanding ideas in an intuitive and informal way. Bridging the gap from geometry to the latest work in observational cosmology, the book illustrates the connection between geometry and the behavior of the physical universe and explains how radiation remaining from the big bang may reveal the actual shape of the universe. |
