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When Least Is Best Paul J. Nahin

When Least Is Best By Paul J. Nahin

When Least Is Best by Paul J. Nahin


Condition - Good
Out of stock

When Least Is Best Summary

When Least Is Best: How Mathematicians Discovered Many Clever Ways to Make Things as Small (or as Large) as Possible by Paul J. Nahin

A mathematical journey through the most fascinating problems of extremes and how to solve them

What is the best way to photograph a speeding bullet? How can lost hikers find their way out of a forest? Why does light move through glass in the least amount of time possible? When Least Is Best combines the mathematical history of extrema with contemporary examples to answer these intriguing questions and more. Paul Nahin shows how life often works at the extremes-with values becoming as small (or as large) as possible-and he considers how mathematicians over the centuries, including Descartes, Fermat, and Kepler, have grappled with these problems of minima and maxima. Throughout, Nahin examines entertaining conundrums, such as how to build the shortest bridge possible between two towns, how to vary speed during a race, and how to make the perfect basketball shot. Moving from medieval writings and modern calculus to the field of optimization, the engaging and witty explorations of When Least Is Best will delight math enthusiasts everywhere.

When Least Is Best Reviews

Nahin has written a beautifully clear, fascinating book on a topic which is truly vital to so many areas of science and I would recommend anyone who enjoys puzzle solving and having new tools to tackle old (or new) problems should read it.---Jonathan Shock, Mathemafrica

About Paul J. Nahin

Paul J. Nahin is the author of many popular math books, including How to Fall Slower Than Gravity and Hot Molecules, Cold Electrons (both Princeton). He is professor emeritus of electrical engineering at the University of New Hampshire.

Additional information

CIN0691218765G
9780691218762
0691218765
When Least Is Best: How Mathematicians Discovered Many Clever Ways to Make Things as Small (or as Large) as Possible by Paul J. Nahin
Used - Good
Paperback
Princeton University Press
2021-05-18
406
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - When Least Is Best