Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

In this engaging and readable book, Dr. Körner describes a variety of lively topics that continue to intrigue professional mathematicians. The topics range from the design of anchors and the Battle of the Atlantic to the outbreak of cholera in Victorian Soho. The author uses relatively simple terms and ideas, yet explains difficulties and avoids condescension. If you are a mathematician who wants to explain to others how you spend your working days, then seek inspiration here. This book will appeal to everyone interested in the uses of mathematics.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface
• Part I The Uses of Abstraction
• 1 Unfeeling statistics
• 2 Prelude to a battle
• 3 Blackett
• 4 Aircraft versus submarine
• Part II Meditations On Measurement
• 5 Biology in a darkened room
• 6 Physics in a darkened room
• 7 Subtle is the Lord
• 8 A Quaker mathematician
• 9 Richardson on war
• Part III The Pleasures Of Computation
• 10 Some classic algorithms
• 11 Some modern algorithms
• 12 Deeper matters
• 13 Enigma
• 14 The Poles
• 15 Bletchley
• 16 Echoes
• Part IV The Pleasures Of Thought
• 17 Time and chance
• 18 Two mathematics lessons
• 19 Last thoughts
• Appendix A Further reading
• Appendix B Sources
• Appendix C Some notations
• Bibliography
• Index

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

K"orner has written an interesting and useful book intended to stimulate interest in mathematics among beginning serious students. Written in an informal style, it successfully answers the question "What is it that mathematicians do and why do they do it?" Formulations of the problems in mathematics and ways to attack them are illustrated by using diverse examples such as an outbreak of cholera, the Battle of the Atlantic, the design of anchors, etc. The material is presented in 19 chapters, of which the first nine deal with measurements and abstraction in mathematics. Classic and modern algorithms are offered in the next three chapters, while coding and decoding are discussed in chapters 13 through 16. The last three chapters include, among other topics, growth and decay. The text is well written and includes all necessary figures and tables. In spite of all precautions, some difficult mathematics had to be included, and one needs some mathematical maturity and patience to handle this. There are three appendixes: lists of books (one for general readers and another for advanced readers), notation used, and sources for further pursuits. Because it is written from a different perspective, this book is not focused on one specific aspect of mathematics, and all interested in mathematics will find this volume valuable. Useful index; impressive bibliography. Recommended for all college libraries. Undergraduates. D. V. Chopra; Wichita State University