The Music of the Primes: Why an unsolved problem in mathematics matters

The Music of the Primes: Why an unsolved problem in mathematics matters
Marcus du Sautoy

(This ebook contains a limited number of illustrations.)The ebook of the critically-acclaimed popular science book by a writer who is fast becoming a celebrity mathematician.Prime numbers are the very atoms of arithmetic. They also embody one of the most tantalising enigmas in the pursuit of human knowledge. How can one predict when the next prime number will occur? Is there a formula which could generate primes? These apparently simple questions have confounded mathematicians ever since the Ancient Greeks.In 1859, the brilliant German mathematician Bernard Riemann put forward an idea which finally seemed to reveal a magical harmony at work in the numerical landscape. The promise that these eternal, unchanging numbers would finally reveal their secret thrilled mathematicians around the world. Yet Riemann, a hypochondriac and a troubled perfectionist, never publicly provided a proof for his hypothesis and his housekeeper burnt all his personal papers on his death.Whoever cracks Riemann's hypothesis will go down in history, for it has implications far beyond mathematics. In business, it is the lynchpin for security and e-commerce. In science, it has critical ramifications in Quantum Mechanics, Chaos Theory, and the future of computing. Pioneers in each of these fields are racing to crack the code and a prize of $1 million has been offered to the winner. As yet, it remains unsolved.In this breathtaking book, mathematician Marcus du Sautoy tells the story of the eccentric and brilliant men who have struggled to solve one of the biggest mysteries in science. It is a story of strange journeys, last-minute escapes from death and the unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Above all, it is a moving and awe-inspiring evocation of the mathematician's world and the beauties and mysteries it contains.

The Music of the

Primes Why an Unsolved Problem in Mathematics Matters

Marcus du Sautoy

Copyright (#ulink_ac95fde7-3174-5a48-ab07-0b1c93efee01)

Fourth Estate

An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd. 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/)

This edition published by Harper Perennial 2004

First published by Fourth Estate 2003

Copyright © Marcus du Sautoy 2003

PS section copyright © Josh Lacey 2004

PS™ is a trademark of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd.

Marcus du Sautoy asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

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Source ISBN: 9781841155807

Ebook Edition © MAY 2012 ISBN: 9780007375875

Version: 2017-05-03

Praise (#ulink_fdbc38c2-f5b7-5358-bf6d-401051c7250b)

From the reviews of The Music of the Primes:

‘A gripping, entertaining and thought-provoking book. Du Sautoy is certainly a brilliant storyteller and introduces us to some great personalities … Even if you don’t understand the maths, this is still a fascinating book. And if you do understand some of it, it will have you running for your calculator as you try to work out some of the riddles along the way’

Independent on Sunday

‘Delightfully entertaining … [Du Sautoy] has been successful in setting up a compelling dramatis personae of mathematicians, with every character vividly illuminated with anecdotes and felicitous comment’

Guardian

‘Du Sautoy … laces the ideas with history, anecdote and personalia – an entertaining mix that renders an austere subject palatable … Even those with a mathematical allergy can enjoy du Sautoy’s depictions of his cast of characters’

The Times

‘The subject is daunting, but du Sautoy writes with admirable clarity and verve’

Daily Mail

‘An engaging and accessible history of work on prime numbers and the Riemann hypothesis’

Economist

‘Entertaining … looks certain to be a great success’

Nature

Dedication (#ulink_360b4b20-0481-58b4-8817-0276afb63a24)

For the memory of

Yonathan du Sautoy October 21, 2000

Contents

Cover (#u6831ef48-7c4d-59d9-a8f5-aa7dcf720b40)

Title Page (#u2cea758a-e627-5135-9999-54e41d55c2db)

Copyright (#u9b2bccd4-b7ed-5caa-b9ce-c0bf43f7710b)

Praise (#u902c5b0d-d5e9-508c-956a-d7026fc796f1)

Dedication (#u19b055f2-1fb4-5600-98a2-038f00ce78d4)

1 Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? (#uddcfa539-b667-55ea-9cf2-90e993d0c2cf)

2 The Atoms of Arithmetic (#u7a8a2b9a-053d-55ef-9308-5f73c343c6a2)

3 Riemann’s Imaginary Mathematical Looking-Glass (#u47e94d36-c679-559c-b3c4-d435603824fe)

4 The Riemann Hypothesis: From Random Primes to Orderly Zeros (#litres_trial_promo)

5 The Mathematical Relay Race: Realising Riemann’s Revolution (#litres_trial_promo)

6 Ramanujan, the Mathematical Mystic (#litres_trial_promo)