Here is a sample of mathematics-related books that are new to Gleeson Library. To view additional titles, see New Mathematics Books on the library website.
Mathematical Intelligence: A Story of Human Superiority over Machines
In “Mathematical Intelligence,” Junaid Mubeen challenges the notion that machines will surpass human intelligence. He argues that mathematics, often misunderstood and poorly taught, gives humans a creative edge over computers. Mubeen identifies seven areas where human mathematical abilities excel, including our innate sense of numerical approximation, capacity for abstraction and language, logical reasoning skills, and ability to question and imagine beyond conventional rules. While computers excel at calculations and pattern recognition, Mubeen contends that human mathematical thinking offers a unique blend of creativity, reasoning, and intuition that machines cannot replicate, positioning mathematics as a crucial tool for maintaining our intellectual advantage in the age of artificial intelligence.
Probably Overthinking It: How to Use Data to Answer Questions, Avoid Statistical Traps, and Make Better Decisions
“Probably Overthinking It” by Allen B. Downey is a concise guide to statistical thinking for everyone. Using real-world examples from various fields, Downey illustrates how data can improve decision-making and highlights common pitfalls in statistical interpretation. The book emphasizes the importance of correct data analysis in areas such as healthcare, policy-making, and social justice. Through data visualizations and accessible explanations, Downey builds readers’ understanding of statistical concepts, enabling them to recognize errors in their own thinking and media reports. This book offers valuable insights for both statistics novices and those seeking to refresh their knowledge.
What’s Happening in the Mathematical Sciences
The What’s Happening in the Mathematical Sciences series explores recent mathematical discoveries in an accessible manner. The 2023 volume covers topics like artificial intelligence, with “Deep Learning: Part Math, Part Alchemy” examining machine learning advances. “Organizing the Chaos Inside the Brain” applies chaos theory to animal brain simulations. Pure math enthusiasts will enjoy chapters on tiling, sphere-packing, and multi-view geometry. “How to Draw an Alternate Universe” delves into non-Euclidean geometry, while “How Mathematicians Unearthed the Stubborn Secrets of Fano Varieties” explores algebraic geometry. Other topics include prime numbers without a “7” and fluid singularities, linking back to machine learning.
The Secret Lives of Numbers: A Hidden History of Math’s Unsung Trailblazers
“The Secret Lives of Numbers” by Kate Kitagawa and Timothy Revell reframes mathematics’ history, highlighting overlooked contributors across six continents and millennia. The book challenges the Eurocentric narrative, showcasing diverse mathematicians like Hypatia, Karen Uhlenbeck, and scholars from the “House of Wisdom.” It explores groundbreaking work by Madhava of Sangamagrama and Black mathematicians during the Civil Rights era. This comprehensive narrative spans thousands of years and various mathematical disciplines, offering a fresh perspective on the global development of mathematics and its unsung heroes.
The Art of More: How Mathematics Created Civilization
“The Art of More” by Michael Brooks explores the profound impact of mathematics on human civilization throughout history. From ancient tax collectors to modern astronomers, the book showcases how mathematical innovations have driven human progress. Brooks argues that mathematics was as crucial to human development as the discovery of fire, enabling advancements in trade, astronomy, architecture, and technology. The narrative spans millennia, featuring diverse characters from Egyptian priests to eccentric professors, illustrating how mathematical breakthroughs have consistently propelled humanity forward and shaped our understanding of the world.
Wu Wenjun: A Biography in Pictures
This book depicts the fascinating life story of Wu Wenjun, a renowned mathematician who made significant contribution in the field of topology, ancient Chinese mathematics, and mathematics mechanization. He was a recipient of the Highest Science and Technology Award, the highest scientific award in China, as well as the Shaw Prize in Mathematics. Through vivid illustrations and eloquent writing, this book recounts rarely known anecdotes and significant events from Wu Wenjun’s life through his childhood, education, and scientific career, offering insights into his life values
Illustrating Mathematics
This book is a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in illustrating mathematical concepts. Organized by materials rather than subject areas, it emphasizes the creative process, including discussions of failures. Readers can learn from others’ experiences and find inspiration for their own illustrations. The book covers a wide range of mathematical topics, from prime numbers and fractals to complex dynamics and hyperbolic 3-manifolds. Each contributor explains the mathematics behind their illustration in an accessible manner, allowing readers to appreciate both the visual beauty and the underlying concepts. The diverse content ensures that every reader can find a mathematical topic that resonates with them.
The Evolution of Mathematics: A Rhetorical Approach
G. Mitchell Reyes challenges the notion that mathematics equals absolute truth in his book, exploring the rhetorical aspects of mathematical discourse. By examining math’s historical development from Plato to modern algorithms, Reyes demonstrates how mathematical innovation relies on rhetorical practices like analogy and metaphor. He argues that mathematics is not a static representation of hidden truths but a dynamic force shaping our reality and experience. This perspective aims to foster collaboration between mathematicians and scholars in rhetoric, sociology, and science to better understand our material world and public culture.
A Brief History of Mathematics: A Promenade Through the Civilizations of Our World
This book offers a unique perspective on the history of mathematics across cultures and civilizations. Divided into eight chronological chapters, it explores mathematical developments from ancient Egypt and Greece to China, India, and the Arab world, up to the 20th century. The author examines the interplay between mathematics and cultural elements, including modern art, providing insights into the discipline’s evolution and its impact on society. With engaging visuals and accessible writing, this translated work appeals to both general readers with a basic mathematical background and researchers in mathematics and humanities.
The Story of Proof: Logic and the History of Mathematics
“The Story of Proof” by USF’s John Stillwell explores the evolution of mathematical proof across various disciplines. From Euclid’s geometry to modern mathematics, Stillwell demonstrates how proof has been crucial in generating knowledge and inspiring innovation. The book covers key areas such as algebra, calculus, number theory, non-Euclidean geometry, topology, and logic. It delves into the fundamental relationship between proof and arithmetic, revealing limitations on provable theorems and solvable problems. Stillwell’s work offers a fresh perspective on the power and progress of mathematics through the lens of proof.
Book summaries composed with AI-assistance.
Fractal image: “Mini-mandelbrot” by Sébastien Garmier