The Magical Maze Seeing the World Through Mathematical Eyes [Hardcover]

A logical maze, a magical maze. A maze of the mind.

The maze is mathematics. The mind is yours. Let's see what happens when we put them together.

What is mathematics? What do mathematicians do?

What is a mathematician? Someone who does mathematics?

Not exactly. That's too easy an answer, and it creates too simple a maze—a circular loop of self-referential logic. No, a mathematician is more than just somebody who does mathematics. Think of it this way: what is a businessperson? Someone who does business? Yes, but not just that. A businessperson is someone who sees an opportunity for doing business where the rest of us see nothing; while we're complaining that there's no restaurant in the area, he or she is organizing a telephone pizza delivery service. Similarly, a mathematician is someone who sees opportunities for doing mathematics that the rest of us miss.

I want to open your mind to some of these opportunities. —fromThe Magical Maze

Praise for Ian Stewart's Previous Books

AboutNature's Numbers: Stewart achieves what other popular mathematics writers merely strive for: an accurate, informative portrayal of contemporary mathematics without a single equation in sight. —Nature

AboutThe Problems of Mathematics:

From one of mathematics' most gifted expositors . . . challenging and interesting. Those with no knowledge of the subject will be able to glimpse its beauty and appeal. —New Scientist

AboutThe Collapse of Chaos:

This ambitious book fearlessly asks some big questions, challenging us to look at science a new way. —San Francisco Chronicle

AboutAnother Fine Math You've Got Me Into:

Ian Stewart's quirky humor and imaginative storytelling entice readers into a fascinating world of mathematical curiosities. —Ivars Peterson author of The Jungles of Randomness

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