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Fri, Apr. 4th, 2008, 05:11 pm
Gamma
I have read the first seven chapters of Julian Havil's Gamma, mostly on the bus to and from work (a benefit of public transportation that does not get nearly enough attention, IMHO). It is slow going because I am working through all the mathematical derivations. These are very clearly presented so this is going well, but it still takes time. A couple modern proofs by Paul Erdös left my head spinning, but I have been able to follow (with appropriate awe), the classic results of Leonard Euler. I suppose this is appropriate given my historical interests :-)>
Wed, Mar. 26th, 2008, 09:38 pm
Math on the bus
After a long pause I have been reading more in Julian Havil's Gamma, which I mentioned a couple months ago.
On the bus going home tonight I worked through Euler's original solution of the Basel problem. I was just stunned by how clever that was.
This original solution was somewhat lacking in mathematical rigor--more like the sort of thing a physicist would do :-)> So I appreciated it all the more. Euler later went back and produced a rigorous version.
On the bus going home tonight I worked through Euler's original solution of the Basel problem. I was just stunned by how clever that was.
This original solution was somewhat lacking in mathematical rigor--more like the sort of thing a physicist would do :-)> So I appreciated it all the more. Euler later went back and produced a rigorous version.
Current Mood: 
impressed
impressedTue, Mar. 25th, 2008, 06:12 pm
Scottish Mercenaries
Tue, Mar. 25th, 2008, 06:01 pm
Celestial Mechanics
Alessandra Celletti and Ettore Perozzi, Celestial Mechanics: The Waltz of the Planets. This is a semi-popular look at one of my old and persistent interests. Very little math, but a lot of graphs and terminology. It includes the traditional subjects, e.g. tidal forces, the discovery of Neptune, Delaunay's lunar theory, and the stability of the solar system. but the emphasis is on modern developments, e.g.
Recommended for those with some general knowledge of astronomy.
- Modern dynamical systems theory and chaotic motion.
- Trojan satellites and Lagrange Points--L1 can actually be useful, even though it is unstable.
- Artificial satellites and space travel, including Hohmann transfer orbits.
- Planetary ring systems.
- The Kuiper belt, the outer solar system, and the demotion of Pluto from planetary status (correct, IMHO).
- Planets around other stars.
Recommended for those with some general knowledge of astronomy.
Current Mood: satisfied
satisfiedWed, Jan. 23rd, 2008, 12:03 pm
"A mathematician's reputation rests on the number of bad proofs he has given."
--A.S. Besicovitch. From Cool Math Quotes
( Warning: Math content )Wed, Aug. 15th, 2007, 08:44 pm
From Kinsale to Dixie
( Read more... )
Thu, Aug. 9th, 2007, 10:32 am
Scottish Mercenaries of the 16th Century
On ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif)
colgaffneyis Website I recently received an inquiry about reenacting Scottish mercenaries of the 16th century. In response I wrote the following:( Read more... )
colgaffneyis Website I recently received an inquiry about reenacting Scottish mercenaries of the 16th century. In response I wrote the following:( Read more... )
Thu, Jul. 26th, 2007, 09:22 pm
Fire and Sword
Just finished Fire and Sword: Sorley Boy Macdonnell and the Rise of Clan Ian Mor, 1538-90, by J. Michael Hill. Highly recommended.( Read more... )
Mon, Jul. 2nd, 2007, 08:40 pm
Warfare in mid 17th Century Ireland
I have been reading Confederate Catholics at War: 1641-49, by Pádraig Lenihan. It is about the Irish part of the British Civil Wars. Quite a number of interesting points.( Read more... )
Wed, Jun. 6th, 2007, 10:33 am
Great history
I have been reading Seán O'Fáolin's The Great O'Neill: A Biography of Hugh O'Neill Earl of Tyrone, 1550-1616. Hugh O'Neill led the last and greatest Irish revolt against Queen Elizabeth of England. ( Read more... )It has been criticized, with reason, for inaccuracies about some details. However, for its portrait of the man Hugh O'Neill I can forgive a lot. O'Neill's character--why he did what he did--is the key problem of this critical phase of Irish History.
It is a really great book. I am reading it on the bus to and from work. More than once I have been so caught up in the story that I almost missed my stop.
It is a really great book. I am reading it on the bus to and from work. More than once I have been so caught up in the story that I almost missed my stop.
Wed, Feb. 15th, 2006, 09:53 am
Plague and Conflict
I finished reading Maria Kelly's History of the Black Death in Ireland on the bus this morning. One of the author's main points is that the plague's effects were not uniform across the population. ( Read more... )