Infinite Powers

How Calculus Reveals the Secrets of the Universe

De: Steven Strogatz

Narrado por: Bob Souer

Without calculus, we wouldn't have cell phones, TV, GPS, or ultrasound. We wouldn't have unraveled DNA or discovered Neptune or figured out how to put 5,000 songs in your pocket.

Though many of us were scared away from this essential, engrossing subject in high school and college, Steven Strogatz's brilliantly creative, down-to-earth history shows that calculus is not about complexity; it's about simplicity. It harnesses an unreal number - infinity - to tackle real world problems, breaking them down into easier ones and then reassembling the answers into solutions that feel miraculous.

Infinite Powers recounts how calculus tantalized and thrilled its inventors, starting with its first glimmers in ancient Greece and bringing us right up to the discovery of gravitational waves. Strogatz reveals how this form of math rose to the challenges of each age: how to determine the area of a circle with only sand and a stick; how to explain why Mars goes "backwards" sometimes; how to turn the tide in the fight against AIDS.

As Strogatz proves, calculus is truly the language of the universe. By unveiling the principles of that language, Infinite Powers makes us marvel at the world anew.

©2019 Steven Strogatz (P)2019 Tantor

beware the reader

listening now and will finish because I'm a completionist but... this reader hurts my head, he feels like someone scratching a chalkboard. I'm actually not going to finish this, it's that painful. maybe a personal issue but damn.

an excellent introduction into calculus

this book is an introduction into the topic of calculus and advanced math it does an excellent job of introducing the subject.

history

explains calculus but not heavy on math
Lots of illustrations. good for teaching anyone at any age

Infinitely Awesome! So much fun.

Missing insight on eastern math is meaningless compared to the tale of modern infinities.

Fun listen on headphones but some pencil and paper moments when a peek at the math is required.

Excellent Book on a difficult subject

I have asked over the years what calculus is for in the real world? I have few memories my high school calculus class. I was excited to see this book on Audible. They do an incredible job of explaining the history and evolution of calculus. I can't say I was able to wrap my head around all of the explanations. This book may be better to read in print or digital where you can go back and reread some places until the imagery sinks in. But I have to tell you, I know way more about calculus now than I ever thought I would. From a non-math person's perspective, they did an incredible job. I really enjoyed the book. Also, I now know why pi is an irrational number. Great book and great performance.

I finally get the reason for calculus!

I only passed calculus because I could memorize. I had no idea what I was doing nor why anyone would do it. So for near 40 years now I have been confused yet curious of this math. I decided to listen to this book and all I can say is “wow, holy smokes, I see the point finally.” Finally I get how calculus works and why we bother with it. I am amazed and stunned. I still can’t do any equations but that doesn’t matter, I get it.
This book is so easy to follow and so skillfully written. Thank you. Bucket list #12 scratched off!

Probably better in print

As a math book, this has a lot of equations that are not very clear when spoken aloud. Not that many, but a few significant ones.

Aside from that, the equations are not the sole focus of the book. There’s a lot of great story here, from planets to AIDS to chess. Enough to make you feel guilty for not paying attention in calculus class— or at least wishing you had a better maths teacher.

An exciting and enthusiastic overview of math and calculus

An exciting and enthusiastic overview of math and calculus. Told as a story with many clarifying examples. A PDF with illustrations would have enriched the audio book. At times getting my head around a description was challenging. The historical vignettes added a great deal to keeping interest going.

Interesting and informative

While there are things lost listening vs reading and seeing the graphs and equations, this was still a worthwhile listen. The history and practical applications are super cool and gives me a new appreciation for calculus as well as how far we’ve come and what lies ahead with its application.

Great overbiew

I'm not a math person by trade although I do enjoy mathematics. This book is a great way to get a wide breadth idea of the history of calculus. I suggest this book to anyone who kind of wants to know about the math without getting too into the Weeds about how to do it. Beautifully written and excellently narrated.