Poetry Talks on Mathematics

Name: Poetry Talks on Mathematics
ISBN: 9787542870216

梁进Shanghai Scientific and Technological Education Publishing House · ChinaNov 2019

3.9

Word count: 71K words
Chapters: 10
ISBN: 9787542870216

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Summary

Mathematics and poetry each have their own domain, but both demand abstraction, innovation, and imagination—thus poetry and mathematics are connected in a higher dimension. The author loves reading, writing, and savoring poetry, and often appreciates poems through a mathematical lens, yielding many original insights. In this book, she leads readers to rediscover poetry through mathematical thinking and methods, revealing its distinctive beauty; at the same time, she appreciates mathematics from the perspective of poetry, offering rich mathematical imagery and intellectual inspiration that sparks readers' interest in mathematics.

Editor's review

Poetry Talks Mathematics is a uniquely crafted cross-disciplinary work. Professor Liang Jin, with her deep mathematical foundation and humanistic sensibility, ingeniously fuses seemingly cold formulas and theorems with China's classical poetic tradition. This is no mere listing of mathematical facts; through exquisite interpretation, it reveals the symmetry, harmony, and logical beauty inherent in mathematical principles, which resonate profoundly with the imagery, rhythm, and structure of classical poetry. The author might, for instance, use the Fibonacci sequence to interpret the rise and fall of poetic rhythm, or topological concepts to draw analogies with emotional loops in verse. This unique perspective opens a window for mathematics lovers onto humanistic beauty and gives literature lovers a key to abstract thinking. It transcends popular science writing, resembling more a collection of intellectual essays that builds an elegant bridge between reason and sensibility, logic and imagination. Reading it requires patience and an open mind, but the intellectual pleasure and expanded horizons it offers are hard to match.

Who it's for

A good fit for

High school or university students interested in the intersection of mathematics and the humanities
Literature lovers who enjoy classical poetry and wish to understand its underlying logical structure
Teachers or knowledge workers seeking cross-disciplinary inspiration and overall cultivation
General readers who appreciate a distinctive style and enjoy deep reflection

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting systematic math tutoring or exam-taking techniques
Readers lacking basic interest in or patience for classical poetry and abstract thinking

Reading tips

Read slowly; consult the original poems or mathematical concepts mentioned for further exploration
Don't force yourself to grasp every connection at once—treat it as inspirational essays to revisit
Jot down your own associations in the margins and try applying this perspective to other arts or sciences

About the publisher

Shanghai Scientific and Technological Education Publishing House China · Founded in 1986

Shanghai Scientific and Technological Education Publishing House is a professional publisher of science and technology education founded in 1986. It mainly publishes primary and secondary school textbooks, teaching materials, popular science books and academic monographs, and also produces periodicals such as Middle School Science and Technology. Its "Philosopher's Stone Series" is an influential popular science book brand, while the books in the database show a sustained focus on social culture, biography, popular science, social sciences and history. Representative titles include A History of Psychiatry: From the Asylum to Prozac, A Beautiful Mind: The Life of Mathematical Genius and Nobel Laureate John Nash, Journey Through Infinity: A Cultural History of the Infinite, What Is Health: How the Brain Affects High Blood Pressure, Obesity and Addiction, Mathematical Masters: From Zeno to Poincaré, Prime Obsession, The Great Influenza and A General History of Science and Technology (Third Edition). Its contributors include overseas scholars such as Edward Shorter, Sylvia Nasar and Eli Maor, as well as translators and authors such as Han Jianping, Hu Yingchong, Li Yaming, Wang Ershan and Wang Qian, together shaping a publishing profile that bridges academic work and the general public.

版权信息
前言我的诗数情缘
第一章初识诗数真面目
第二章数字登诗妙趣花
第三章灵巧诗词题算用
第四章诗里乾坤几何佳
第五章数意诗情哲理隐
第六章诗坛亮剑数学家
后记诗数伴我岁年
参考文献

FAQ

Do I need advanced math or literature skills to understand it?

No special expertise is required. The author provides accessible introductory explanations of the mathematical and poetic concepts involved; a high school foundation and cultural curiosity suffice. The key is to enjoy the process of connecting and reflecting.

How is the book structured?

It is not organized like a textbook. Each piece starts from a specific mathematical concept or theorem and links to related classical poems, historical allusions, or philosophical ideas. The chapters are relatively independent yet internally connected, forming a web-like system of knowledge and insight.

How is it different from ordinary math popularization or poetry appreciation?

The core difference is its strong intent to 'connect.' It does not aim to teach knowledge or appreciation techniques separately but to show how two modes of thought illuminate each other and spark creativity—pursuing a reading experience of 'synaesthesia' and 'general education.'

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About the author

梁进 Author

Public information about Liang Jin is limited, and his nationality, dates of birth and death, and academic background cannot be confirmed at present. Judging from the three works held in the library, his writing spans science popularization and architectural culture: Mathematical Modeling addresses the application of mathematical methods and reflects his attention to how mathematical tools are put into practice, while Shihua Shuxue and Who Holds Mathematics Dancing in the Sky: Interpreting the Mysteries of Ancient and Modern Architecture link mathematics with poetry and with architecture past and present, attempting to build bridges between abstract mathematical structures and concrete cultural and spatial experience. This choice of subjects shows an author who presents the beauty of mathematics in an accessible yet rigorous way, helping readers understand its usefulness and charm where the humanities and engineering meet. The books suit general readers interested in popular science and architectural culture.