Eight Lessons on Infinity: A Mathematical Adventure

Best-selling author and mathematician Haim Shapira explores infinity in this book, aimed at a lay audience. It offers strategies to solve fascinating mathematical problems and introduces paradoxes such as Zeno's paradoxes, Hilbert's Infinity Hotel, Achilles and the gods paradox, and the Ross-Littlewood paradox.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 16 April 2019
Publisher: Watkins Media

Are you ready to embark on a captivating journey into the realm of infinity, a concept that has fascinated and inspired countless great thinkers throughout history? In this captivating book, renowned author and mathematician Haim Shapira takes you on a humorous and engaging exploration of this profound and intricate concept, written in clear, simple language that is accessible to a lay audience.

Infinity is a concept that defies conventional understanding, and this book offers a unique perspective on it. Through the pages of this book, you will meet a diverse range of sages, both familiar and unfamiliar, who have contributed to our understanding of infinity. From Zeno and Pythagoras to Georg Cantor and Bertrand Russell, Sofia Kovalevskaya and Emmy Noether, al-Khwarizmi and Euclid, Sophie Germain and Srinivasa Ramanujan, these sages have left their mark on the world of mathematics and philosophy.

The world of infinity is a paradoxical one, and this book is no exception. You will encounter a myriad of paradoxes, each one more intriguing than the last. Zeno paradoxes, Hilbert's Infinity Hotel, Achilles and the gods paradox, the paradox of heaven and hell, the Ross-Littlewood paradox involving tennis balls, the Galileo paradox, and many more will challenge your mind and spark your curiosity.

However, this book is not solely for those with a deep understanding of mathematics. It is designed to engage and inspire the curious but non-technical reader. Shapira employs only the most basic operations of mathematics, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, powers, and roots, to convey his ideas. But don't let this simplicity fool you – the journey into infinity requires a bit of deep thinking and contemplation.

What sets this book apart is Shapira's writing style, which is both humorous and lighthearted. He banishes the chalky pallor of the schoolroom and offers instead a truly thrilling intellectual journey. With his witty anecdotes and engaging storytelling, he makes complex concepts accessible and enjoyable for readers of all ages and backgrounds.

So, fasten your seatbelt and prepare for an adventure into infinity, and beyond. Whether you are a seasoned mathematician or a curious mind seeking to explore the depths of human imagination, this book will captivate and inspire you. Join Haim Shapira on a journey that will transport you to the boundaries of knowledge and leave you pondering the mysteries of the universe for years to come.

Weight: 250g
Dimension: 132 x 198 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786781840
Edition number: 0 New edition