Love Triangle: How Trigonometry Shapes the World
Love Triangle: How Trigonometry Shapes the World
Love Triangle: How Trigonometry Shapes the World
Description
Description
An ode to trigonometry, the most important idea in mathematics and the key concept that enables our modern world, from the internationally bestselling author of Humble Pi Contrary to what your friends may have grumbled in high school math class, trigonometry is perhaps the most essential concept humans have ever devised. The simple yet versatile triangle allows us to map the world, launch ships into space, and send cat gifs. Trigonometry also makes it possible to play the piano so that it sounds like a human voice and was crucial to prosecuting the balloon trip company that caused a pig stampede. In Love Triangle, Matt Parker shares plenty of relevant and irreverent reasons we should all show a lot more love for the triangles in our lives. He tells extraordinary and entertaining stories of mathematicians, philosophers, and engineers--starting with Pythagoras--who dared to take triangles seriously. Humans have been using triangles for thousands of years to measure the earth and build structures. But trigonometry also underpins all modern data technology and is the essential component of GPS--without triangles, we'd still be at the gas station asking for directions. Parker convincingly makes the case that trigonometry is vital, fun, and deeply useful. Its rules are the hidden pattern beneath the surface of just about everything we encounter, and we wouldn't exist without them. Luckily, it's never too late to learn!
About the Author
About the Author
Matt Parker is a stand-up comedian and a YouTuber with over one hundred million views. He is the author of the international bestseller Humble Pi and Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension. Matt is also frequently seen, heard, and read on the Science Channel, on BBC radio, and in The Guardian, in that order. He has previously held world records for both the Rubik's Cube and Space Invaders. In the pursuit of math, Matt has: flipped a coin 10,000 times, traveled to Antarctica, memorized π to hundreds of digits, and been bitten by a bullet ant in the Amazon rainforest. Matt has given math lectures at Cambridge University, Oxford University, Harvard University, and Lake Monger Primary School.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
Praise for Love Triangle "A funny and often surprising guide to the history of triangles--and the applications (both practical and highly impractical) of trigonometry." --Tim Harford, Financial Times "A rare book about math sure to make you smile, despite your feelings about the subject. Once again, Parker measures up." --Kirkus Reviews "Parker has a fine old time with his material, and only a curmudgeon could fail to be charmed." --The Telegraph (UK) "Matt Parker has made me laugh about math many times by showing just how weird it can get. He's also made me cry about math by showing how transcendently beautiful it is." --Adam Savage, MythBusters co-host and author of Every Tool's a Hammer "Love Triangle is a blissful blend of pure science and pure merriment. Edifying, entertaining, excellent!" --Alex James, food writer and Blur bass player "Fine. Triangles are now my favorite shape." --Hannah Fry, author of Hello World Praise for Matt Parker and his books
"Parker is consistently very funny . . . highly entertaining." --The Guardian "[Humble Pi is] a fascinating and deeply surprising journey into the hilarious and sometimes tragic realm of mathematical error. Brilliant." --Tim Harford, author of The Undercover Economist and Messy
"Fun, informative, and relentlessly entertaining, Humble Pi is a charming and very readable guide to some of humanity's all-time greatest miscalculations." --Ryan North, author of How to Invent Everything
"Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension shows off math at its most playful and multifarious." --Jordan Ellenberg, author of How Not to Be Wrong "Matt Parker is some sort of unholy fusion of prankster, wizard, and brilliant nerd--math is rarely this clever, funny, and ever so slightly naughty." --Adam Rutherford, author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived
"Parker is consistently very funny . . . highly entertaining." --The Guardian "[Humble Pi is] a fascinating and deeply surprising journey into the hilarious and sometimes tragic realm of mathematical error. Brilliant." --Tim Harford, author of The Undercover Economist and Messy
"Fun, informative, and relentlessly entertaining, Humble Pi is a charming and very readable guide to some of humanity's all-time greatest miscalculations." --Ryan North, author of How to Invent Everything
"Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension shows off math at its most playful and multifarious." --Jordan Ellenberg, author of How Not to Be Wrong "Matt Parker is some sort of unholy fusion of prankster, wizard, and brilliant nerd--math is rarely this clever, funny, and ever so slightly naughty." --Adam Rutherford, author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Riverhead Books
Pub date:
2024-07-16
Length:
336 pages
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