The Mathematics of Life
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Popular science |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Ian Stewart |
The Mathematics of Life is a popular science publication from 2011 authored by mathematician Ian Stewart, which delves into the expanding influence of mathematics within the field of biology.
Overview
In this work, Stewart explores mathematical principles underlying subjects such as population growth, speciation, brain activity, chaos theory, game theory, network structures, symmetry, and animal coloration. The discussion is presented with minimal reliance on mathematical formulas. He highlights six major breakthroughs that have transformed biology:
- The development of the microscope
- A systematic approach to species classification
- Proof supporting evolution
- Growth in the study of genetics
- The identification of DNA’s structure
- The incorporation of innovative mathematics into biological research (mathematical biology)
Reception
Author Alex Bellos commended the book as "a testament to the versatility of maths and how it is shaping our understanding of the world." Kirkus Reviews characterized it as "an ingenious overview of biology with emphasis on mathematical ideas—stimulating but requiring careful reading despite the lack of equations." A critique in Notices of the American Mathematical Society praised it for "effectively revealing the mathematics that supports much contemporary biological investigation."
However, mathematician and science communicator Keith Devlin pointed out that the book contains repetitive and overlapping sections, which might be frustrating for readers already acquainted with Stewart’s earlier publications.