The Golden Mean

Nemiroff, Robert J.Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

Rating 3.2
Word count
1M words
Chapters
102

Tags

English Originals Natural Sciences Beauty of MathScience EnlightenmentNatural LawsGolden RatioCuriosityAesthetic InquiryRational ReflectionPopular Science EssaysInterdisciplinary ViewPopular Narrative

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Golden Mean by Jerry T. Bonnell and Robert J. NemiroffAuthor: Nemiroff, Robert J.,Language: English, Class: QA: Science: Mathematics, Release Date: Dec 1, 1996

Editor's review

This is an English popular mathematics book in the Project Gutenberg collection, centered on the Golden Mean, an ancient and fascinating mathematical constant. As one of the early electronic texts released by Project Gutenberg, it has the typical characteristics of public-domain resources: concise in length, plain in language, and focused on conceptual overview rather than elaborate derivation. For readers who want to understand the basic definition of the golden ratio, its geometric origins, and its common associations in science and art, this is an accessible introductory material. Its value lies not in cutting-edge research but in providing a clearly oriented starting point that helps readers build an overall impression of the golden ratio and lays a foundation for further reading of specialized works. It is suitable as supplementary reading for courses on the history or culture of mathematics, and also for self-learners with some English reading ability to browse in fragmented time. Note that this is an original English electronic text with rather simple formatting and annotations, and readers need basic English mathematical vocabulary.

Who it's for

A good fit for

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Reading tips

  1. First read through the whole book to grasp the definition and geometric origins of the golden ratio, then go back and read carefully the application passages that interest you.
  2. Keep pen and paper at hand to sketch the geometric figures involved in the book, which helps understand the proportional relationships.
  3. When encountering unfamiliar mathematical terms, note them down first and look them up after finishing a chapter, to avoid frequently interrupting the reading rhythm.
  4. You may read alongside Chinese popular mathematics materials for comparison, to make up for deviations in English comprehension.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

Contents

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21
  22. 22
  23. 23
  24. 24
  25. 25
  26. 26
  27. 27
  28. 28
  29. 29
  30. 30
  31. 31
  32. 32
  33. 33
  34. 34
  35. 35
  36. 36
  37. 37
  38. 38
  39. 39
  40. 40
  41. 41
  42. 42
  43. 43
  44. 44
  45. 45
  46. 46
  47. 47
  48. 48
  49. 49
  50. 50
  51. 51
  52. 52
  53. 53
  54. 54
  55. 55
  56. 56
  57. 57
  58. 58
  59. 59
  60. 60
  61. 61
  62. 62
  63. 63
  64. 64
  65. 65
  66. 66
  67. 67
  68. 68
  69. 69
  70. 70
  71. 71
  72. 72
  73. 73
  74. 74
  75. 75
  76. 76
  77. 77
  78. 78
  79. 79
  80. 80
  81. 81
  82. 82
  83. 83
  84. 84
  85. 85
  86. 86
  87. 87
  88. 88
  89. 89
  90. 90
  91. 91
  92. 92
  93. 93
  94. 94
  95. 95
  96. 96
  97. 97
  98. 98
  99. 99
  100. 100
  101. 101
  102. 102

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no mathematical background at all? The book involves basic mathematical concepts such as proportion and geometry, and readers with no background at all may find it difficult. It is suggested to first understand the basic definition of the golden ratio and simple geometric knowledge, and then read this book more smoothly.
Is this an English book? What English level is required? This book is an original English electronic text, and the language is generally plain. Readers with high school level or above English reading proficiency and familiarity with a small amount of mathematical vocabulary can complete the reading with the help of a dictionary.
Can this book replace a systematic mathematics textbook? No. The book focuses on conceptual introduction and popular science overview, and does not pursue rigorous proofs or systematic training. It is more suitable as an introductory guide or extracurricular supplement; systematic learning still requires professional textbooks.

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About the author

Nemiroff, Robert J. Author · American

Robert J. Nemiroff is an American astrophysicist. Publicly available information is limited; what can be confirmed is that he is one of the founders of Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD). This project presents a daily astronomical image with a brief explanatory text, introducing celestial bodies and astronomical phenomena to the public, and has had a broad influence in science communication. One of his works is held in the collection, namely The Golden Mean. Based on the available information, his writing and science communication work center on astronomical knowledge, emphasizing the combination of images and commentary to present scientific content in a way that helps general readers understand and approach astronomy. Details such as his dates of birth and death, educational background, and specific research directions remain insufficient in public sources and are not speculated upon here.