HOW TO BUILD THE UNIVERSE USING MATHS

This is an engaging and imaginative tour through the fundamental mathematical concepts — from arithmetic to infinity — that form the building blocks of our universe. Our universe has multiple origin stories, from religious creation myths to the scientists’ Big Bang theory. But if we leave those behind and start from nothing, could we create a universe using only math?

The Big Bang of Numbers is a mathematical origin story in which mathematician and novelist Manil Suri creates a natural progression of ideas needed to design our world. He reveals the secret lives of real and imaginary numbers, and explores mathematical underpinnings for randomness and beauty. With examples ranging from multidimensional crochet to Mona Lisa’s smile, The Big Bang of Numbers charts a playful, inventive course to existence.

Manil Suri

384pp,~799, Bloomsbury