Math Bytes: Google Bombs, Chocolate-Covered Pi, and Other Cool Bits in Computing

by Tim P. Chartier

Overview

An inviting collection of fun, hands-on applications in mathematics and computing

This book provides a fun, hands-on approach to learning how mathematics and computing relate to the world around us and help us to better understand it. How can reposting on Twitter kill a movie's opening weekend? How can you use mathematics to find your celebrity look-alike? What is Homer Simpson’s method for disproving Fermat’s Last Theorem? Each topic in this refreshingly inviting book illustrates a famous mathematical algorithm or result—such as Google’s PageRank and the traveling salesman problem—and the applications grow more challenging as you progress through the chapters. But don’t worry, helpful solutions are provided each step of the way.

Math Bytes shows you how to do calculus using a bag of chocolate chips, and how to prove the Euler characteristic simply by doodling. Generously illustrated in color throughout, this lively and entertaining book also explains how to create fractal landscapes with a roll of the dice, pick a competitive bracket for March Madness, decipher the math that makes it possible to resize a computer font or launch an Angry Bird—and much, much more. All of the applications are presented in an accessible and engaging way, enabling beginners and advanced readers alike to learn and explore at their own pace—a bit and a byte at a time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691160603
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	04/06/2014
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Tim Chartier is associate professor of mathematics at Davidson College. He is the coauthor of Numerical Methods (Princeton).

Table of Contents

Preface ix
1Your First Byte 1
2Deceiving Arithmetic 5
3Two by Two 11
4Infinite Detail 21
5Plot the Course 32
6Doodling into a Labyrinth 42
7Obama-cize Yourself 54
8Painting with M&Ms 61
9Distorting Reality 73
10A Pretty Mathematical Face 86
11March MATHness 98
12Ranking a Googol of Bits 105
13A Byte to Go 124
14Up to the Challenge 125
Bibliography 131
Index 133
Image Credits 135

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"How can you tell, by just looking, that 178212 + 184112 = 192212 is not a true statement? When you search for something on the web, how does Google know how to respond with the most relevant hits first? Chartier tells you how in this book. Each new discussion illustrates the almost supernatural explanatory nature of mathematics, promising many hours of enjoyment."—Paul J. Nahin, author of Will You Be Alive 10 Years from Now?: And Numerous Other Curious Questions in Probability

"A magnificent and curious romp through a wonderful array of mathematical topics and applications: maze creation, Google's PageRank algorithm, doodling, the traveling salesman problem, math on The Simpsons, Fermat's Last Theorem, viral tweets, fractals, and so much more. Buy this book and feed your brain."—Clifford A. Pickover, author of The Math Book

"Math Bytes is a playful and inviting collection of interesting mathematical examples and applications, sometimes in surprising places. Many of these applications are unique or put a new spin on things. The link to computing helps make many of the topics tangible to a general audience."—Matt Lane, creator of the Math Goes Pop! Blog

"Readable and fun. There are few books like this one that engage with mathematics at this level of accessibility and tie into real-world contexts in a humorous yet rigorous way. Math Bytes reinforces the excitement of mathematics and its relevance to modern culture."—Peter McOwan, Queen Mary, University of London

Editorial Reviews

"Winner of the Euler Book Prize, Mathematical Association of America"

One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2014

From the Publisher

"[L]ively and entertaining book. . . . All of the applications are presented in an accessible and engaging way, enabling beginners and advanced readers alike to learn and explore at their own pace—a bit and a byte at a time."

Zentralblatt MATH

"A mathematical Pandora's box released is perhaps the best way to describe this book. It overflows with ideas, flitting from one fascinating topic to the next, often without an apparent connection. The range is impressive. . . . Everyone should find a 'math byte' of interest in this book, and perhaps end up finding other topics of interest as well."

Choice

"[L]ively and entertaining book. . . . All of the applications are presented in an accessible and engaging way, enabling beginners and advanced readers alike to learn and explore at their own pace—a bit and a byte at a time."

Zentralblatt MATH Database