Was machen eigentlich Mathematiker? Den ganzen Tag nur rechnen und Gleichungen lAsen und Formeln ableiten und Funktionen darstellen? Geht es in der Mathematik ausschlieAlich um Zahlen? Wie kommt man auf die Idee, Mathematik zu studieren, und was sollte man dafA1/4r mitbringen? Welche Erfahrungen liegen zwischen dem ersten Semester und der ersten Professur? Wer sonst als Ian Stewart sollte diese Fragen beantworten? BerA1/4hmt fA1/4r seinen Witz, seinen in zahlreichen BA1/4chern bewiesenen unterhaltsamen Stil, seine Gabe, auch schwierige Sachverhalte verstAndlich zu prAsentieren, begleitet Stewart in diesem Band eine junge Frau vom Schulabschluss bis zur universitAren Laufbahn als Mathematikerin und lAsst den Leser in seinen Briefen an Meg teilhaben an den Diskussionen A1/4ber das Wesen der Mathematik, an den ungeahnten Freuden, die diese Disziplin den Eingeweihten verschaffen kann, an den Alltagssorgen eines forschenden und lehrenden Mathematikers wie auch an den HA1/4rden, die - gerade auch fA1/4r eine Frau - in einer akademischen Karriere zu A1/4berwinden sind. Wer wissen will, wie Mathematiker "ticken," oder selber einer werden will, kommt um dieses Buch nicht herum. Informationen zum Originalbuch: ] From Publishers Weekly This new entry in the Art of Mentoring series takes the form of letters from a fictitious mathematician to his niece. The letters span a period of 20 years, from the time the niece is thinking about studying mathematics in high school through the early years of her academic career. The format works wonderfully to introduce readers to the basics of the discipline of mathematics while providing a sense of what mathematicians actually do. Throughout, the prolific and talented Stewart (Does God Play Dice?), a British mathematician, entertains while educating. He explains how mathematics is so much more than mere calculations and how it's used in almost every facet of our lives. He also discusses the beauty mathematicians can find in the natural world, demonstrating that a focus on numbers and patterns can enhance rather than detract from an aesthetic appreciation of the environment. Stewart also does a superb job of examining the nature and value of both applied research and pure research, which, he shows, are not nearly as disparate as many think. Although the book must be read by anyone thinking about a career in mathematics, others simply interested in learning about the field and how mathematicians think will find it compelling reading. (Apr. 17) Copyright A(c) Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Book Description From the renowned mathematician and writer Ian Stewart, an insightful and lively exploration of why mathematics matters The first scientific entry in the acclaimed Art of Mentoring series from Basic Books, Letters to a Young Mathematician tells readers what Ian Stewart wishes he had known when he was a student and young faculty member. Subjects ranging from the philosophical to the practical--what mathematics is and why it's worth doing, the relationship between logic and proof, the role of beauty in mathematical thinking, the future of mathematics, how to deal with the peculiarities of the mathematical community, and many others--are dealt with in Stewart's much-admired style, which combines subtle, easygoing humor with a talent for cutting to the heart of the matter. In the tradition of G.H. Hardy's classic A Mathematician's Apology, this book is sure to be a perennial favorite with students at all levels, as well as with other readers who are curious about the frequently incomprehensible world of mathematics.