Princeton University Press Mathematics in Nature, Revised Edition: Modeling Patterns in the Natural World

How mathematics unveils the beauty of the natural world Mathematics in Nature reveals that mathematics is the unifying language of the hidden order of nature. In this richly illustrated book, John Adam guides readers from basic models using everyday arithmetic to the modeling of intricate, ever-evolving patterns, showing how even simple equations can illuminate the structure and behavior of complex systems. Adam introduces arithmetic and algebraic models that capture essential ideas of population growth, resource consumption, and environmental feedbacks. Through discussions of shape, size, and scale, he explains why proportions and dimensions matter across biology and physics. He delves into the physics of light and air to reveal the mathematical patterns behind atmospheric beauty—from rainbows, halos, and glories to mirages and cloud formations—and demonstrates how equations can be used to describe ripples on water, sound in air, and the dramatic surges of tidal bores. Adam progresses from Fibonacci sequences, metallic ratios, and natural spirals to pattern formation and self-organization in living and nonliving systems. With new chapters on the dynamics of climate change and pandemics, this fully revised edition reveals how mathematical modeling brings coherence and clarity to our understanding of nature’s complexity and the forces that shape our environment.