The modern radio is a wonder, and behind that magic is mathematics. In The Mathematical Radio, Paul Nahin explains how radios work, deploying mathematics and historical discussion, accompanied by a steady stream of intriguing puzzles for math buffs to ponder. Beginning with oscillators and circuits, then moving on to AM, FM, and single-sideband radio, Nahin focuses on the elegant mathematics underlying radio technology rather than the engineering. He explores and explains more than a century of key developments, placing them in historical and technological context.
Nahin, a prolific author of books on math for the general reader, describes in fascinating detail the mathematical underpinnings of a technology we use daily. He explains and solves, for example, Maxwell鈥檚 equations for the electromagnetic field. Readers need only a familarity with advanced high school鈥搇evel math to follow Nahin鈥檚 mathematical discussions. Writing with the nonengineer in mind, Nahin examines topics including impulses in time and frequency, spectrum shifting at the transmitter, the superheterodyne, the physics of single-sideband radio, and FM sidebands. Chapters end with 鈥渃hallenge problems鈥� and an appendix offers solutions, partial answers, and hints. Readers will come away with a new appreciation for the beauty of even the most useful mathematics.
Paul J. Nahin is emeritus professor of electrical engineering at the University of New Hampshire. He is the author of many popular math books, including most recently In Pursuit of Zeta-3: The World's Most Mysterious Unsolved Math Problem; Hot Molecules, Cold Electrons: From the Mathematics of Heat to the Development of the Trans-Atlantic Telegraph Cable; and How to Fall Slower Than Gravity: And Other Everyday (and Not So Everyday) Uses of Mathematics and Physical Reasoning (all 91桃色).
"Mr. Nahin's fascinating historical guide to the science of how words are transformed into electricity and back again contains a lot of [mathematics]. Luckily, Mr. Nahin . . . is also a warm and infectiously enthusiastic guide in prose."鈥擲teven Poole, Wall Street Journal
"[The book's] challenges are worthwhile."鈥擭. W. Schillow, Choice
“In this engaging and substantive book intended to demonstrate the beauty of applied mathematics to mathematicians both applied and pure—take that, G. H. Hardy!—Paul Nahin skillfully explains the mathematics, technology, and social impact of radio.”—Judith V. Grabiner, Pitzer College
“Radio waves—from our cell phones, AM/FM radio, and wireless devices—are zinging all around us, yet few of us have any idea how engineers came to understand these waves and how they invented new electronic devices. In this erudite book, Paul Nahin draws on his brilliant knowledge of electrical engineering to help us appreciate the elegant mathematics that engineers use to design the electronic marvels that enrich our lives.”—W. Bernard Carlson, University of Virginia
This publication generally has been produced to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Level AA but has not been checked for language shifts. It is screen-reader friendly and is accessible to people with print disabilities. This book contains various accessibility features including alternative text for images, a table of contents, a page list, landmarks, a logical reading order, structural navigation, an index, math content captured as MathML, and semantic structure. Where applicable, there are backlinks to the table of contents.
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WCAG level AA
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ARIA roles provided
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Accessible math content as MathML
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