We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Find out more
Request an Inspection Copy
Cover

Infinity: A Very Short Introduction

Ian Stewart

23 March 2017

ISBN: 9780198755234

160 pages
Paperback
174x111mm

In Stock

Very Short Introductions

Price: £8.99

Ian Stewart considers the concept of infinity and the profound role it plays in mathematics, logic, physics, cosmology, and philosophy. He shows that working with infinity is not just an abstract, intellectual exercise, and analyses its important practical everyday applications.

Share:

Description

Ian Stewart considers the concept of infinity and the profound role it plays in mathematics, logic, physics, cosmology, and philosophy. He shows that working with infinity is not just an abstract, intellectual exercise, and analyses its important practical everyday applications.

  • Explains the mathematical concept of infinity and its uses in calculus, Fourier analysis, and fractals
  • Discusses the role of infinity in the physics of space, time, and matter
  • Describes philosophical aspects and debates involving infinity, and shows how current mathematical thinking can be used to illuminate some of those issues.
  • Considers the important applications of the concept of infinity to everyday reality
  • Part of the Very Short Introductions series - over seven million copies sold worldwide

About the Author(s)

Ian Stewart, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, University of Warwick

Professor Ian Stewart of Warwick University is a well-known and highly successful writer on mathematics and its applications. He has authored over 80 books including From Here to Infinity (OUP, 1996), Does God Play Dice? (Penguin, 1997), Symmetry: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2013), and the bestselling series The Science of Discworld I, II, III, and IV with Terry Pratchett and Jack Cohen.

Table of Contents

    Introduction
    1:Why infinity is dangerous
    2:The flipside of infinity
    3:Geometric infinity
    4:Infinity in probability
    5:Physical infinity
    6:Counting infinity
    7:Infinity revisited
    References
    Further Reading
    Index

Reviews

"This particular volume does exactly what it says on the tin, providing just enough background on various aspects of infinity to pique the readers interest. It is written with the same clarity and attention to detail as Professor Stewarts other books." - David Hopkins, Mathematical Gazette

"Stewart has turned what must have seemed like a daunting project into an entertaining, illuminating, and digestible read... the book has something for everyone." - Marianne Freiberger, Plus

"Even the experienced reader may have more occasion to learn something new. Some of these non-essential but nevertheless flashes of a that's-interesting-I-didn't-know-that experience will make it worthwhile reading." - Adhemar Bultheel, European Mathematical Society

Related Titles