The Computer as Crucible: An Introduction to Experimental Mathematics

by Borwein; Jonathan

• ISBN13: 9781568813431
• ISBN10: 1568813430
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781040188200
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2008-10-28
• Publisher: A. K. Peters
• More Book Details

Summary

"Keith Devlin and Jonathan Browein, two well-known mathematicians with expertise in different mathematical specialities but with a common interest in experimentation in mathematics, have joined forces to create this introduction to experimental mathematics. They cover a variety of topics and examples to give the reader a good sense of the current state of play in the rapidly growing new field of experimental mathematics. The writing is clear and the explanations are enhanced by relevant historical facts and stories of mathematicians and their encounters with the field over time."--BOOK JACKET.

Author Biography

Jonathan Borwein received his PhD from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and is a professor of mathematics and computer science at Dalhousie University in Canada. He is the author of seminal works in the growing field of experimental mathematics, including Mathematics by Experiment (9781568814421) and Experimental Mathematics in Action (9781568812717), and more.Keith Devlin is Executive Director and Senior Researcher at the Center for the Study of Language and Information at Stanford University.He is the author of many books and articles that popularize mathematics and is the ôMath Guyö for National Public Radio. He is the author of The Unfinished Game (9780465009107) and The Math Instinct (978-1560258391), among many others.

Table of Contents

What Is Experimental Mathematics?	p. 1
What Is the Quadrillionth Decimal Place of [pi]?	p. 17
What Is That Number?	p. 29
The Most Important Function in Mathematics	p. 39
Evaluate the Following Integral	p. 49
Serendipity	p. 61
Calculating [pi]	p. 71
The Computer Knows More Math Than You Do	p. 81
Take It to the Limit	p. 93
Danger! Always Exercise Caution When Using the Computer	p. 105
Stuff We Left Out (Until Now)	p. 115
Answers and Reflections	p. 131
Final Thought	p. 149
Additional Reading and References	p. 151
Index	p. 155
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