Imagine Math

Imagine mathematics, imagine with the help of mathematics, imagine new worlds, new geometries, new forms. This book is intended to contribute to grasping how much that is interesting and new is happening in the relationships between mathematics, imagination and culture. With a look at the past, at figures and events, that help to understand the phenomena of today.

It is no coincidence that this volume contains an homage to the great Italian artist of the 1700s, Andrea Pozzo, and his perspective views. Theatre, art and architecture are the topics of choice, along with music, literature and cinema. No less important are applications of mathematics to medicine and economics.

The treatment is rigorous but captivating, detailed but full of evocations, an all-embracing look at the world of mathematics and culture

• Architecture
• Art
• Culture
• Literature
• Mathematics

From the reviews:

“The many diverse texts that make up this book, link mathematics to history, different kinds of art (music, literature, architecture, film,…), science, medicine, economics etc. … it is easily accessible for anyone having a general interested in mathematics and the interaction with many other aspects of science, society, and knowledge which are not the obvious engineering applications.” (A. Bultheel, The European Mathematical Society, May, 2012)

“Emmer … has edited a very interesting book with a diverse collection of fascinating essays. Chapter contributors examine the role of mathematics in art, literature, film, medicine, music, architecture, economics, and culture. … The reader is sure to find many chapters that will pique his/her interest and motivate further study. There is clearly the need for this type of book, one which explains the connection between mathematics and the world in which we live. … Summing Up: Recommended. Students of all levels and mathematics faculty.” (R. L. Pour, Choice, Vol. 50 (9), May, 2013)

• Department of Mathematics, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

  Michele Emmer

Michele Emmer is professor of mathematics at La Sapienza University in Rome. He has made eighteen films in the series “Arte e matematica”, including a film on Escher. He is the editor of the book series “Mathematics and Culture” (Springer) and “The Visual Mind” (MIT Press). His latest books are: Bolle di sapone tra arte e matematica (Bollati Boringhieri, 2009), winner of the 2010 Viareggio Prize; Flatlandia by E. Abbott, accompanied a film on DVD by the same name with music by Ennio Morricone (Bollati Boringhieri, 2008); Visibili armonie. Arte cinema teatro e matematica (Bollati Boringhieri, 2007); The Visual Mind 2 (MIT Press, 2006); M. C. Escher’s Legacy (Springer, 2003), Mathematics and Culture VI (Springer, 2009); Numeri immaginari. Cinema e matematica (Bollati Boringhieri, 2011); Matematica e cultura 2011 (Springer, 2011).

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