Nature's Numbers-The Constants of Change

Nature’s
Numbers
IAN STEWART
The
Constants
of Change
CHAPTER 4
Your best quote that reflects your
approach… “It’s one small step for
man, one giant leap for mankind.”
- NEIL ARMSTRONG
Introduction to "Nature's Numbers“
•"Nature's Numbers" by Ian Stewart is a captivating exploration of
the interplay between mathematics and the natural world.
•Stewart, a renowned mathematician and author, delves into the
profound connections between mathematical constants and various
natural phenomena.
•This chapter delves into the essence of mathematical constants and
their vital role in understanding the constants of change in nature.
Introduction
 Throughout history, human thought about nature has oscillated between two
opposing viewpoints.
 Viewpoint 1: The universe adheres to fixed, unchanging laws, and there exists an
objective reality.
 Viewpoint 2: Reality is in a constant state of flux and change, as illustrated by

Heraclitus' saying, "You can't step into the same river twice."
 The rise of science has largely favored the first viewpoint, but recent cultural shifts
and theories like postmodernism, cyberpunk, and chaos theory challenge this
perspective.
Shifting Worldviews
 Emerging worldviews like postmodernism, cyberpunk, and chaos theory blur the
distinction between objective reality and change.
 Postmodernism questions the objectivity of truth and highlights the role of

perception and context.
 Cyberpunk portrays a future where technology blurs the line between reality and
virtual worlds.
 Chaos theory demonstrates that deterministic systems can exhibit unpredictable

behavior.
Seeking Higher Order
 The need to transcend opposing worldviews and see them as

complementary aspects of a higher reality.
 The possibility of a higher order accessible from different

directions.
 John Maynard Keynes' perspective on Isaac Newton: Not just a

rationalist, but also a magician with interests in alchemy, religion,
and mysticism.
Newton's Insight
 Isaac Newton's contributions span mathematics, physics,

alchemy, and religion.
 His mathematical foundation paved the way for a unified

perspective on change and laws.
 Newton's laws of motion played a pivotal role in

understanding the dynamics of the universe.
Newton's Laws
 Newton's First Law: Objects at rest remain at rest,

and objects in motion continue in motion with
constant velocity unless acted upon by an external
force.
 Newton's Second Law: Force equals mass times

acceleration (F = ma).
Newton's Third Law
 Newton's Third Law: For every action, there is

an equal and opposite reaction.
 Interactions between objects lead to mutual
forces and reactions.
Projectile Motion
 Projectile motion example: Cannonball trajectory.
 Motion decomposed into horizontal and vertical

components.
 Consideration of acceleration, velocity, and height.

Calculus and Motion
 Calculus introduced as a tool for understanding rates of

change.
 Differentiation for finding rates of change, integration for

understanding motion over time.
 Bridging the gap between observed behavior and

underlying laws.
Three-Body Problem
 The distinction between the solvable two-body problem and

the complex three-body problem.
 Zhihong Xia's discovery of non-integrability in the three-

body problem.
 Significance of chaotic behavior and challenges in predicting

long-term trajectories.
Chaos and Arnold Diffusion
 Chaos theory: Exploring deterministic systems with

seemingly random behavior.
 Introduction to Arnold diffusion: Slow, "random" drift

in relative orbital positions.
 Relationship between chaos, unpredictability, and

deterministic causes.
Conclusion
 The evolution from formulas to qualitative understanding in

describing nature's patterns.
 Advances in understanding the qualitative aspects of

behavior beyond exact formulas.
 Newton's insights into change and laws continue to shape

our understanding of the universe.
Ang Pagwawakas…

Nature's Numbers-The Constants of Change

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Nature’s

 Viewpoint 2: Reality is in a constant state of flux and change, as illustrated by

 Postmodernism questions the objectivity of truth and highlights the role of

 Chaos theory demonstrates that deterministic systems can exhibit unpredictable

 The need to transcend opposing worldviews and see them as

 The possibility of a higher order accessible from different

 John Maynard Keynes' perspective on Isaac Newton: Not just a

 Isaac Newton's contributions span mathematics, physics,

 His mathematical foundation paved the way for a unified

 Newton's laws of motion played a pivotal role in

 Newton's First Law: Objects at rest remain at rest,

 Newton's Second Law: Force equals mass times

 Newton's Third Law: For every action, there is

 Projectile motion example: Cannonball trajectory.

 Motion decomposed into horizontal and vertical

 Consideration of acceleration, velocity, and height.

 Calculus introduced as a tool for understanding rates of

 Differentiation for finding rates of change, integration for

 Bridging the gap between observed behavior and

 The distinction between the solvable two-body problem and

 Zhihong Xia's discovery of non-integrability in the three-

 Significance of chaotic behavior and challenges in predicting

 Chaos theory: Exploring deterministic systems with

 Introduction to Arnold diffusion: Slow, "random" drift

 Relationship between chaos, unpredictability, and

 The evolution from formulas to qualitative understanding in

 Advances in understanding the qualitative aspects of

 Newton's insights into change and laws continue to shape

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