A Mathematical Tour

R is the world's most popular language for developing statistical software: Archaeologists use it to track the spread of ancient civilizations, drug companies use it to discover which medications are safe and effective, and actuaries use it to assess financial risks and keep economies running smoothly.

A Tour of the Subatomic Zoo: A Guide to Particle Physics is a brief and ambitious expedition into the remarkably simple ingredients of all the wonders of nature.

This book is based on eight articles that were written for Resonance. Needless to say, the material has been rearranged, revised, and considerably expanded in some directions, so as to have a degree of cogency. The articles themselves grew out of the notion that the mathematical tools and techniques required by the students of physical sciences can, and should, be introduced to them in a more `user-friendly' style than is generally the case. The initial introduction should be heuristic, with adequate motivation. The development of the subject matter should help the student not only to learn the techniques, but also to gain insight and the ability to recognise interconnections. Attention should be paid to the natural unfolding of the subject matter; one thing should lead to another. While correctness can never be sacrificed, formal rigour and exactitude need not be at the forefront.

Take a grand tour of the best of modern math, its most elegant solutions, most clever discoveries, most mind–bending propositions, and most impressive personalities.