Foreword / Gilles Dowek -- On a transformative journey -- Bayes theorem -- Logically speaking... -- Let's generalize! -- All hail prejudices -- The Bayesian prophets -- Solomonoff's demon -- Can you keep a secret? -- Game, set and math -- Will Darwin select Bayes? -- Exponentially counter-intuitive -- Ockham cuts to the chase -- Facts are misleading -- Quick and not too dirty -- Wish me luck -- Down memory lane -- Let's sleep on it -- The unreasonable effectiveness of abstraction -- The Bayesian brain -- It's all fictions -- Exploring the origins of beliefs -- Beyond Bayesianism.

Annotation. For thousands of years mankind has tried to understand nature. Exploring the world on all scales with instruments of ever more ingenuity, we have been able to unravel some of the great mysteries that surround us. While collecting an overwhelming multitude of observational facts, we discovered fundamental laws that govern the structure and evolution of physical reality. We know that nature speaks to us in the language of mathematics. In this language most of our basic understanding of the physical world can be expressed in an unambiguous and concise way. The most artificial language turns out to be the most natural of all. The laws of nature correspond to equations. These equations are the icons of knowledge that mark crucial turning points in our thinking about the world we happen to live in. They form the symbolic representation of most of what we know, and as such constitute an important and robust part of our culture. Publication coincides with the World Year of Physics: "http://www.wyp2005.nl">www.wyp2005.nl "This beautifully designed book deserves a place on the coffee table .[..] Sander Bais confides the reader in the exciting secrets of the laws of nature, and does so in a clear, surprisingly poetic language." "The Equations is a catalogue. A catalogue that belongs to an exhibition of 17 typographic works of art - which gallery will frame them and hang them on the wall? The formulas, displayed in white symbols on a bright red background, are of an untouchable beauty ." 'Untouchable icons' - NRC Handelsblad "The Equations is an absolute feast for everyone who is interested in what physicists have to say about the structure of the world and the beauty that emanates from this. It is a jewel of knowledge, written with love for the field but also with a great compassion for the reader." 'Knowledge smoothly surpasses the fear of formulas' - de Volkskrant This title can be previewed in Google Books - http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN9789053567449.

The Equation of Knowledge: From Bayes' Rule to a Unified Philosophy of Science introduces readers to the Bayesian approach to science: teasing out the link between probability and knowledge. The author strives to make this book accessible to a very broad audience, suitable for professionals, students, and academics, as well as the enthusiastic amateur scientist/mathematician. This book also shows how Bayesianism sheds new light on nearly all areas of knowledge, from philosophy to mathematics, science and engineering, but also law, politics and everyday decision-making. Bayesian thinking is an important topic for research, which has seen dramatic progress in the recent years, and has a significant role to play in the understanding and development of AI and Machine Learning, among many other things. This book seeks to act as a tool for proselytising the benefits and limits of Bayesianism to a wider public. Features Presents the Bayesian approach as a unifying scientific method for a wide range of topics Suitable for a broad audience, including professionals, students, and academics Provides a more accessible, philosophical introduction to the subject that is offered elsewhere

An accessible guide to developing intuition and skills for solving mathematical problems in the physical sciences and engineering Equations play a central role in problem solving across various fields of study. Understanding what an equation means is an essential step toward forming an effective strategy to solve it, and it also lays the foundation for a more successful and fulfilling work experience. Thinking About Equations provides an accessible guide to developing an intuitive understanding of mathematical methods and, at the same time, presents a number of practical mathematical tools for successfully solving problems that arise in engineering and the physical sciences. Equations form the basis for nearly all numerical solutions, and the authors illustrate how a firm understanding of problem solving can lead to improved strategies for computational approaches. Eight succinct chapters provide thorough topical coverage, including: Approximation and estimation Isolating important variables Generalization and special cases Dimensional analysis and scaling Pictorial methods and graphical solutions Symmetry to simplify equations Each chapter contains a general discussion that is integrated with worked-out problems from various fields of study, including physics, engineering, applied mathematics, and physical chemistry. These examples illustrate the mathematical concepts and techniques that are frequently encountered when solving problems. To accelerate learning, the worked example problems are grouped by the equation-related concepts that they illustrate as opposed to subfields within science and mathematics, as in conventional treatments. In addition, each problem is accompanied by a comprehensive solution, explanation, and commentary, and numerous exercises at the end of each chapter provide an opportunity to test comprehension. Requiring only a working knowledge of basic calculus and introductory physics, Thinking About Equations is an excellent supplement for courses in engineering and the physical sciences at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also a valuable reference for researchers, practitioners, and educators in all branches of engineering, physics, chemistry, biophysics, and other related fields who encounter mathematical problems in their day-to-day work.

What if you could know exactly when something would happen by simple calculation? What if you could tell by a number, that the person you love is your soul mate? What if by a simple formula you could know if danger lies ahead? Would it not be wonderful to have such knowledge! Then you could plan your life successfully! This book probes the universal system and how it works in your life. By simple calculations logical and rational conclusions can be made concerning your purpose for living and why you experience any and all things from birth to death and beyond. The equations presented here will give a person a sense of security and significance, preventing failures and disappointments in life before they happen.

This book argues against the view that mathematical knowledge is a priori, contending that mathematics is an empirical science and develops historically, just as natural sciences do. Kitcher presents a complete, systematic, and richly detailed account of the nature of mathematical knowledge and its historical development, focusing on such neglected issues as how and why mathematical language changes, why certain questions assume overriding importance, and how standards of proof are modified.