by Mario Livio
First published 2010
Astrophysicist Mario Livio tackles one of science's biggest puzzles: why does mathematics work so well to describe reality? He traces the lives and discoveries of history's most important mathematicians, from Pythagoras to modern times. The book examines how abstract mathematical concepts can predict unknown phenomena, from subatomic particles to cosmic events that scientists later confirm. Livio explores the fundamental question of whether humans invent mathematics or discover truths that already exist. If math is purely a human mental creation, as Einstein claimed, how can it so accurately model and forecast natural events? The author guides readers through mathematical breakthroughs that revealed deeper patterns in our world. This investigation will appeal to anyone wondering about the connection between human thinking and scientific understanding.
Genres: science, popular-science, non-fiction, astronomy, mathematics, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: academic
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century, 21st-century
308 pages · Paperback · Simon & Schuster