When Math Goes Wrong In The Real World

A Shocking Exposé of Mathematical Blunders

Mathematics is a powerful tool that can be used to solve problems, make predictions, and understand the world around us. But what happens when math goes wrong? In his book "When Math Goes Wrong In The Real World," John Allen Paulos tells the stories of several mathematical blunders that have had catastrophic consequences.

Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World

by Matt Parker

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	47559 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	336 pages

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One of the most famous examples of a mathematical blunder is the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940. The bridge was designed by a team of engineers who used a mathematical formula to calculate the bridge's natural frequency. Unfortunately, the formula they used was incorrect, and the bridge collapsed when it was subjected to high winds.

Another example of a mathematical blunder is the failure of the Mars Climate Orbiter in 1999. The orbiter was launched by NASA to study the climate of Mars. However, the orbiter crashed into the planet's surface because of a mathematical error. The engineers who designed the orbiter used the wrong units of measurement, which caused the orbiter to be off course by hundreds of miles.

These are just two examples of the many mathematical blunders that have occurred throughout history. In his book, Paulos argues that these blunders are not isolated incidents. He believes that they are a symptom of a larger problem, which is our overreliance on mathematics.

Paulos argues that we have become too quick to trust mathematical models and simulations. We assume that these models are accurate and reliable, but this is not always the case. As the examples in his book show, mathematical models can be wrong, and when they are, the consequences can be disastrous.

Paulos's book is a timely reminder of the importance of skepticism. We should not blindly trust mathematical models and simulations. We need to be aware of the limitations of mathematics and use it with caution.

About the Author

John Allen Paulos is a mathematician who has written extensively about the role of mathematics in everyday life. He is the author of several books, including "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" and "A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper." Paulos is a fellow of the American Mathematical Society and the American Statistical Association.

Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World

by Matt Parker

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	47559 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	336 pages

FREE