The Poincaré Conjecture
  • Published: 5 January 2009
  • ISBN: 9780141032382
  • Imprint: Penguin Press
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $36.00

The Poincaré Conjecture

In Search of the Shape of the Universe

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An unsolved mystery, a reclusive Russian genius and a race to win a million dollars ...

The Poincaré Conjecture tells the story behind one of the world’s most confounding mathematical theories. Formulated in 1904 by Henri Poincaré, his Conjecture promised to describe the very shape of the universe, but remained unproved until a huge prize was offered for its solution in 2000. Six years later, an eccentric Russian mathematician had the answer.

Here, Donal O’Shea explains the maths behind the Conjecture and its proof, and illuminates the curious personalities surrounding this perplexing conundrum, along the way taking in a grand sweep of scientific history from the ancient Greeks to Christopher Columbus. This is an enthralling tale of human endeavour, intellectual brilliance and the thrill of discovery.
  • Published: 5 January 2009
  • ISBN: 9780141032382
  • Imprint: Penguin Press
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $36.00
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Praise for The Poincaré Conjecture

One can't read The Poincaré Conjecture without an overwhelming awe at the infinite depths and richness of a mathematical realm not made by us

Martin Gardner, author of The Annotated Alice

Conveys topology's mind-bending contortions with great flair

New Scientist

One can't read The Poincaré Conjecture without an overwhelming awe at the infinite depths and richness of a mathematical realm not made by us

Martin Gardner, author of The Annotated Alice

Reveals the human story behind the challenge of the conjecture, and gives us a glimpse of the weird world inhabited by mathematicians

BBC Focus

Beautifully written

American Scientist

Intriguing

The Times

A truly marvellous book

Martin Gardner