PatternExon

The Equation That Couldn't be Solved – Mario Livio

// January 1st, 2007 // books, reading, review

Though, i believe that one should always start by any author’s best work; since the Magnum Opus is often most tolerable but with limited resources (& even lesser patience) i just grabbed the most interesting title that was within reach…..while i had first heard about Prof. Livio while glancing through “The Golden Ratio”, this one’s cover is exceptionally well made, and as Malcolm Galdwell clearly points out in his ‘Blink’ we almost always judge each book by its cover & what is even worse is that we get more efficient at judging a book by its cover as we read. Neways, getting back to The Equation this is a book about Group Theory – that theory which is the basis of all the fabulous math, has far reaching effects & is totally incomprehensible to most students of this abstract art while almost all of its conclusions seem trivial to any passer-by…yeah the same group theory that I had tried to grasp in my course on Formal Concepts of Computer Science.

 

The start like any other ‘math packaged’ book is exceptionally insightful with the just the right amount of anecdotes & history & a pretty good blend of obvious & some not so obvious math ( and corollaries). Dr. Livio continues beautifully explaining the obviousness of symmetry. The interesting twist that awaits is he lucidly explains that symmetry is actually more of an algebra question than a geometry (well if I have to divide all Mathematics in to these two only; rather crude i agree) but the aesthetics of symmetry is in group theory & symmetry is inherently programmed ( if i may) in nature & human sub-consciousness…though some of the examples drawn are quite elaborate but I think for a larger audience that may just be necessary. Where the author diverts ( well thats what i felt) to a rather lengthy description of two supposedly ‘unknown’ Math geniuses Abel & Galios. Now, it is true that they did not receive their due when alive but now they are known & their work is acknowledged ( almost revered). Also reading about Galios was a little more boring for me I guess because I too was once bewitched by this genius and had googled about him for a week and ended up reading more than I should have ( well bad luck; eh?) .

 

Oh yes, the title ! thats the quintic equation ( a single variable equation of degree 5). The book is about how the question that “Is such an equation is in fact solvable ?” was put to rest. The chase of this answer starts pretty well & the intertwined stories are amusing but then to get everything in a single strand the pursuit is left midway & when we return that charm is lost. The conclusion is again a little too convoluted for my liking especially when Music & musical notes come into play…alas the Prof. Livio’s obsession with Galios takes a toll when the last chapter “Requiem For a Romantic Genius” goes on & on.

 

Final verdict, an interesting read…not ‘unputdownable’ but yes you would like to finish before someone else fall for the charming name & cover.