In 1998 Thomas Hales dramatically announced the solution of a problem that has long teased eminent mathematicians: what is the densest possible arrangement of identical spheres? The Pursuit of Perfect Packing recounts the story of this problem and many others that have to do with packing things together. The examples are taken from mathematics, physics, biology, and engineering, including the arrangement of soap bubbles in foam, atoms in a crystal, the architecture of the bee's honeycomb, and the structure of the Giant's Causeway. Using an informal style and with key references, the book also includes brief accounts of the lives of many of the scientists who devoted themselves to problems of packing over many centuries, together with wry comments on their efforts. It is an entertaining introduction to the field for both specialists and the more general public.
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Review
This is a timely book … In general, materials scientists and engineers venturing into the world of nano-structures should read this book as a general introduction to a fascinating field.
-T. M Sabine, Consultant Physicist, The Physicist
It is an entertaining introduction to the field for both specialists and the more general public.
-Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie
This book is full of goodies. It is a romp through and around sphere packings and its relatives. From the catchy titles of the sections to the charming photographs, anecdotes, verses, quotes, snipettes of philosophy there is so much to enjoy … All the diagrams and the many photographs of models are excellent.
-William Moser, Zentralblatt Math
This is an excellent read!
-Short Book Reviews
…the reader will want to return to it often to treasure its various little gems. I found it a most delightful book.
-The London Mathematical Society
-T. M Sabine, Consultant Physicist, The Physicist
It is an entertaining introduction to the field for both specialists and the more general public.
-Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie
This book is full of goodies. It is a romp through and around sphere packings and its relatives. From the catchy titles of the sections to the charming photographs, anecdotes, verses, quotes, snipettes of philosophy there is so much to enjoy … All the diagrams and the many photographs of models are excellent.
-William Moser, Zentralblatt Math
This is an excellent read!
-Short Book Reviews
…the reader will want to return to it often to treasure its various little gems. I found it a most delightful book.
-The London Mathematical Society
Book Description
This is a timely book … In general, materials scientists and engineers venturing into the world of nano-structures should read this book as a general introduction to a fascinating field.
-T. M Sabine, Consultant Physicist, The Physicist
-T. M Sabine, Consultant Physicist, The Physicist
It is an entertaining introduction to the field for both specialists and the more general public.
-Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie
This book is full of goodies. It is a romp through and around sphere packings and its relatives. From the catchy titles of the sections to the charming photographs, anecdotes, verses, quotes, snipettes of philosophy there is so much to enjoy … All the diagrams and the many photographs of models are excellent.
-William Moser, Zentralblatt Math
This is an excellent read!
-Short Book Reviews
The book is a treasure trove of intriguing examples, often accompanied by useful illustrations. …We are very fortunate to have available the book by Aste and Weaire, a real gem, which can be enjoyed by all audiences with at least some college experience.
-The Mathematical Association of American
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
The half-empty suitcase or refrigerator is a rare phenomenon. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The half-empty suitcase or refrigerator is a rare phenomenon. Read the first page
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Concordance
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Vivek Sharma
Format:Hardcover
The text is packed with both ordered and disorderly discussions of several packing problems that arise in daily life as well as in crystallography, physics and abstract mathematics. A nice introduction to the solved and unsolved mysteries and myths of packing problems!! The text is an easy read, suitable for even high school kids, though graduate students and teachers will find it more illuminating and informative!
By Ed Pegg
Format:Hardcover
A good starting discussion for packing problems, even though several issues are not covered (look at Erich's Packing Center for the next edition). Chapters cover Circle packings, sphere packings, the Hales proof, seed shapes, honeycombs, bubbles, atoms and crystals, fractal aggregates, The Giant's Causeway, buckyballs, higher dimensional packings, and various odds and ends. There are lots of illustrations and good discussions. I would have prefered for more to be packed into the book. Still, it's the best introductory book on packing I know of.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
2 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent introduction to packing
Feb 24 2001
By Ed Pegg
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
A good starting discussion for packing problems, even though several issues are not covered (look at Erich's Packing Center for the next edition). Chapters cover Circle packings, sphere packings, the Hales proof, seed shapes, honeycombs, bubbles, atoms and crystals, fractal aggregates, The Giant's Causeway, buckyballs, higher dimensional packings, and various odds and ends. There are lots of illustrations and good discussions. I would have prefered for more to be packed into the book. Still, it's the best introductory book on packing I know of.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Introduction to mysteries and myths of packing!
May 10 2004
By Vivek Sharma
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
The text is packed with both 'ordered' and 'disordered' discussions of several packing problems that arise in daily life as well as in crystallography, physics and abstract mathematics. A book serves as a nice introduction to the solved and the unsolved mysteries and myths of packing problems. The enthusiasm of Aste and Weaire is infectious, and the reach of concepts described here is far ranging and deep. Yet the text itself an easy read, perhaps even high school kids can enjoy it, though graduate students and teachers will find it most illuminating and informative!
(May 11/ 2004)
(May 11/ 2004)
›
Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
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