Book
The math behind... : discover the mathematics of everyday events / Colin Beveridge.
Record details
- ISBN: 1770859985 (pbk.)
- ISBN: 9781770859982 (pbk.)
- Physical Description: 192 pages : colour illustrations, colour maps
- Publisher: Richmond Hill, Ontario : Firefly Books, 2017.
Content descriptions
| General Note: | Includes index. |
| Immediate Source of Acquisition Note: | LSC 24.95 |
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Mathematics. Mathematics > Miscellanea. Probabilities. Probabilities > Miscellanea. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Tsuga Consortium.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroud Branch | 510 Bev | 31681020069696 | NONFICPBK | Available | - |
- Firefly Books Ltd
An entertaining illustrated reference to the role of mathematics in everyday life.
The Math Behind... is a fascinating compilation of everyday events analyzed for their probability of occurring and how those odds are determined using mathematical equations and science. The book examines everything from how predictive text works to why buses come in threes and the likelihood that toast will land butter side down. Accessible and clear explanations, without dumbing down the science, and photographs and diagrams illustrate concepts and aid understanding.
There are six chapters. Here are some of the questions covered:
- The human condition: Why hipsters look the same
- Sports and games: The perfect 9-ball break in pool
- From A to B: The "causeless" traffic jam
- Rise of the machines: How bitcoins work
- Chance and coincidence: Does repeatedly clicking a mouse make it work any faster
- And another thing: At what percentage does juice become flavored water
What are the chances of you even being born
What makes certain songs so catchy
Why we find some people more attractive than others
How to play the lottery
How to take a free kick
The secret behind Michael Jordan's air time
Why the house always wins
Just how likely is a plane to crash
How long would it take a chicken to cross a road
Is it possible to have a car journey with no red lights
How easy is it for a hacker to crack your password
How does predictive text work
How do scam emailers use probability
The chances of meeting your soulmate
The six degrees of Kevin Bacon
How illusionists use mathematics
How penguins have developed the perfect huddle
The amount of G-force on a rollercoaster.
The Math Behind... is an entertaining, intelligent and different look at the world around us. Readers interested in probability and mathematics (and readers interested in just about anything else) will enjoy learning why their toast landed butter side down and whether they should spend another $5.00 on a lottery ticket.
