The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved

How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry

By: Mario Livio

Narrated by: Tom Parks

What do Bach's compositions, Rubik's Cube, the way we choose our mates, and the physics of subatomic particles have in common? All are governed by the laws of symmetry, which elegantly unify scientific and artistic principles. Yet the mathematical language of symmetry - known as group theory - did not emerge from the study of symmetry at all, but from an equation that couldn't be solved.

For thousands of years mathematicians solved progressively more difficult algebraic equations, until they encountered the quintic equation, which resisted solution for three centuries. Working independently, two great prodigies ultimately proved that the quintic cannot be solved by a simple formula. These geniuses, a Norwegian named Niels Henrik Abel and a romantic Frenchman named Évariste Galois, both died tragically young. Their incredible labor, however, produced the origins of group theory.

The first extensive, popular account of the mathematics of symmetry and order, The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved is told not through abstract formulas but in a beautifully written and dramatic account of the lives and work of some of the greatest and most intriguing mathematicians in history.

©2005 Mario Livio. (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Wonderful book on a variety of topics

Allow me to start by expression frustration with Audible's arbitrary limitation of 50 characters for the review headline. Can't for all that is sacred express my intent in that many characters.

Ok, now to the book. It's a wonderful book, exploring the variety of topics. The 3 main themes of the book are the polynomic equations of a single variable and the history of attempts to solve them, the group theory, and symmetry. Those who are not familiar with these topics at least a superficial familiarity, or are not at least extremely curious about them, are likely not to enjoy the book very much, although it's full of entertaining anecdotes and creative metaphors. They are likely to get bogged down in the mathematical parts. Those who are somewhat familiar will enjoy learning in depth the history of the mathematical and physical ideas they are accustomed to, including the lives of people who gave names to all these tools and ideas. All the people whose names fly around during the calculus and algebra lectures come to life in this book.

That's as far as the content of the book is concerned. I do question the decision to release the book in the audio format, as is. First, it's pretty old - published in 2005, yet the audio version was released in 2018 with seemingly zero alterations. The Large Hadron Collider, launched in 2010, so 8 years before the audio version was published, is mentioned as a planned event. Second, the mathematical bits, when read aloud, are simply unintelligible. I do know some group theory, so I just phased out while the narrator read the various multiplication tables row after row, in a monotonous tone, but for those who are not familiar with these topics - good luck to you, you're going to need it. Clearly, a more imaginative approach to transferring the content into the audio format was called for, but it seems the author was not involved in the process, so it didn't happen. The narrator is doing as good a job as can be done, except mispronouncing some of the names (such as that of Henri Poincaré), but the result is useless. Which is a pity since the story parts are excellent.

Enlightening geniuses found here

I am so excited inspired by your book. Thank you for introducing and enlightening me on these wonderful people buried in the sands of time.

enjoyable..but all over the place

well worth the listen.A little bit undisciplined, though. The first two chapters are throwaways, imho. But the actual stories of the Italian algebraists, then of Abel and Galois, are compelling.
The last few chapters then wander off a bit..and a bit hard to follow by ear.

Does not translate over to audio very well

An excellent book. However this is one that should be red with a pencil paper in hand and therefore does not translate over to audio very well

Riveting

Fascinating stories of some of the greatest minds to have ever lived. The book is written for everyone, not just for those who are mathematically inclined.