What will I learn about: how abstract mathematical equations have fundamentally shaped human history by revealing unexpected, concrete relationships in the real world?

Discover how abstract mathematical equations have fundamentally shaped human history by revealing unexpected, concrete relationships in the real world.

What will I learn about: Learn how the simple Pythagorean theorem laid the groundwork for modern mapmaking, GPS satellite navigation, and measuring the curvature of the universe?

Learn how the simple Pythagorean theorem laid the groundwork for modern mapmaking, GPS satellite navigation, and measuring the curvature of the universe.

What will I learn about: how Euler's formula birthed the mathematical field of topology, which molecular biologists now use to analyze the complex geometric structure and replication of DNA?

Understand how Euler's formula birthed the mathematical field of topology, which molecular biologists now use to analyze the complex geometric structure and replication of DNA.

What will I learn about: why the normal distribution curve is a vital tool for revealing predictable patterns in complex human behavior and verifying the reliability of medical trials?

Find out why the normal distribution curve is a vital tool for revealing predictable patterns in complex human behavior and verifying the reliability of medical trials.

What will I learn about: Explore how the Navier-Stokes equation predicts fluid and air flow, enabling the aerodynamic design of modern vehicles and critical blood flow calculations for medical surgeries?

Explore how the Navier-Stokes equation predicts fluid and air flow, enabling the aerodynamic design of modern vehicles and critical blood flow calculations for medical surgeries.

In Pursuit of the Unknown

17 Equations That Changed the World

Ian Stewart

★ 4.4 / 5(93 ratings)

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Science History

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡Did you know that a mathematical concept involving 'imaginary' numbers is the secret reason your smartphone and modern electronics even work?
💡Have you ever wondered how a single equation could bridge the gap between a falling apple and the complex movements of the entire universe?
💡Are you curious about which formula governs both the stability of our world and the unpredictable fluctuations of the global stock market?

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Key Takeaways from In Pursuit of the Unknown

✓Discover how abstract mathematical equations have fundamentally shaped human history by revealing unexpected, concrete relationships in the real world.
✓Learn how the simple Pythagorean theorem laid the groundwork for modern mapmaking, GPS satellite navigation, and measuring the curvature of the universe.
✓Understand how Euler's formula birthed the mathematical field of topology, which molecular biologists now use to analyze the complex geometric structure and replication of DNA.
✓Find out why the normal distribution curve is a vital tool for revealing predictable patterns in complex human behavior and verifying the reliability of medical trials.
✓Explore how the Navier-Stokes equation predicts fluid and air flow, enabling the aerodynamic design of modern vehicles and critical blood flow calculations for medical surgeries.

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In Pursuit of the Unknown

Geometry & Shape+

Probability & Data+

Fluids & Dynamics+

Gravity & Cosmos+

Quantum & Subatomic+

Complexity & Finance+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9

According to the text, how do generalizations of the Pythagorean theorem help scientists understand the universe?

A. By calculating the exact age of the universe using light-years.
B. By measuring triangles in curved spaces to compute the universe's curvature.
C. By predicting the trajectory of planetary orbits around the sun.
D. By determining the exact number of stars in a given galaxy.

Question 2 of 9

What makes the field of topology, motivated by Euler’s formula, unique compared to traditional geometry?

A. It relies strictly on the precise measurements of lengths and angles.
B. It only applies to two-dimensional shapes like squares and circles.
C. It ignores lengths and angles, focusing instead on whether shapes can be deformed into each other.
D. It is only used to calculate the volume of three-dimensional polyhedra.

Question 3 of 9

What was the significant realization made by Adolphe Quetelet when he plotted social variables like crime, births, and height?

A. Social variables are completely random and cannot be modeled mathematically.
B. People en masse behave more predictably than individuals, conforming to bell curves.
C. The average human height and weight were increasing exponentially due to modern diets.
D. Individual human choices disrupt statistical patterns, making data gathering useless.

Question 4 of 9

Which of the following is a direct application of the Navier-Stokes equation mentioned in the text?

A. Pricing financial derivatives like options.
B. Minimizing aerodynamic resistance in modern transport design.
C. Calculating the gravitational pull between the earth and the moon.
D. Understanding the genetic mutations in DNA replication.

Question 5 of 9

Why do space agencies like NASA and ESA still primarily use Newton’s law of gravitation for spacecraft trajectories rather than Einstein's theory of relativity?

A. Newton's law accounts for the curvature of space-time, which Einstein's theory ignores.
B. Einstein's theory only applies to objects traveling at the speed of light.
C. For almost all practical space mission purposes, the simpler Newtonian approach is highly accurate and reigns supreme.
D. Newton's law explains wave-particle duality, which is essential for modern spaceflight.

Question 6 of 9

How does Einstein’s theory of relativity prevent car satellite navigation systems (GPS) from quickly placing us on the wrong planet?

A. By adjusting for the fact that clocks on satellites run at slightly different speeds due to satellite velocity and Earth's gravity.
B. By calculating the exact fuel consumption required to keep satellites in a stable orbit.
C. By using quantum wave functions to pinpoint the car's exact location on a flat plane.
D. By mapping the curvature of the earth using a network of triangles.

Question 7 of 9

According to the text, what everyday technology fundamentally relies on knowledge derived from Schrödinger’s equation and quantum theory?

A. Wind tunnels used for testing car aerodynamics.
B. Modern memory chips built from semiconductors.
C. The mechanical blades of a food processor.
D. The satellite dishes used for television broadcasting.

Question 8 of 9

How did chaos theory change the approach meteorologists take to weather forecasting?

A. They now rely entirely on historical data from the nineteenth century to predict future patterns.
B. They stopped trying to predict the weather because it lacks deterministic rules.
C. They run many forecasts instead of refining a single one, relying on the agreement of multiple models.
D. They use the Navier-Stokes equation to perfectly predict the exact temperature months in advance.

Question 9 of 9

What was the primary danger of the Black-Scholes equation that contributed to the banking crisis of 2008–09?

A. It was used to price physical commodities instead of financial derivatives.
B. It encouraged 'trading by formula' in a complex market that did not actually obey the formula's cozy assumptions.
C. It proved that 75 to 90 percent of futures traders make a profit, leading to severe market overconfidence.
D. It was mathematically flawed and calculated the value of standard options incorrectly.