In the past few years, a new line of scientific inquiry called "chaos theory" has caught the popular imagination. Young people, in particular, have taken to the complex computer-generated patterns that seem to teeter precariously between order and randomness. A dazzling mathematical object, the Mandelbrot set, now decorates posters, record sleeves, and pop videos (as well as the back cover of this book jacket). Chaos theory, it turns out, has a deeper meaning for our understanding of nature. All sorts of phenomena - from dripping faucets to swinging pendulums, from the unpredictability of the weather to the majestic parade of the planets, from heart rhythms to gold futures - are best perceived through the mathematical prism of chaos theory. In this collection of incisive, front-line reports, ably edited by Nina Hall for New Scientist magazine, internationally recognized experts such as Ian Stewart, Robert May, and Benoit Mandelbrot draw on the latest research to explain the roots of chaos in modern science and mathematics.
All sorts of phenomena, including dripping faucets, swinging pendulums, the unpredictability of weather, the paths of the planets, heart rhythms, and gold futures, are best perceived through the mathematical prism of chaos theory. Nina Hall has edited this collection of articles from New Scientist magazine by the top researchers in chaos theory, including Ian Stewart, Robert May, Benoit Mandelbrot, and Paul Davies. Contains 14 pages of color plates. No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)