Mathematics: Home

This book is about the life of primes. Indeed, once they are defined, primes take on a life of their own and the mysteries surrounding them begin multiplying, just like living cells reproduce themselves, and there seems to be no end to it. This monograph takes the reader on a journey through time, providing an accessible overview of the numerous prime number theory problems that mathematicians have been working on since Euclid.

Why does a clarinet play at lower pitches than a flute? What does it mean for sounds to be in or out of tune? How are emotions carried by music? Do other animals perceive sound like we do? How might a musician use math to come up with new ideas? This book offers a lively exploration of the mathematics, physics, and neuroscience that underlie music in a way that readers without scientific background can follow.