{"title":"Étienne Ghys","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the collection dedicated to Étienne Ghys, a prominent French mathematician whose engaging works bridge the realms of science, nature, and education. With profound contributions to the field of mathematics, Ghys is celebrated for his ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging for all readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eÉtienne Ghys’ notable work includes \u003cem\u003eThe Football\u003c\/em\u003e, a fascinating exploration into mathematics through the lens of something as universally relatable as a football. This book showcases Ghys’ talent for illustrating how mathematical principles underpin everyday objects and phenomena, making learning both insightful and enjoyable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis works are perfect for those looking to delve deeper into the intricate yet captivating world of mathematics and science. They present opportunities to learn in a way that is both stimulating and approachable, ideal for enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Explore the brilliance of mathematics with Étienne Ghys' collections, where each page offers a new discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-football-by-etienne-ghys-9780691263120","title":"The Football","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Football\u003c\/i\u003e takes readers on an entertaining and fact-filled exploration of the mathematical secrets of the most popular spherical object on the planet. The football is familiar to billions of fans across the globe, but how many really look at it? Do footballs all have the same shape? Spoiler: not exactly. How does their shape affect how they play? With Étienne Ghys as our guide, we discover why ballistics, friction, and air flow are key to scoring goals—and why the football is a mathematical problem that engineers are still trying to solve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGhys begins with the classic Telstar ball used in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Its twelve black pentagons and twenty white hexagons are what most of us picture when we think of the sport. Following the story through successive World Cups, he shows how engineers constantly challenge themselves to reinvent the ball, aiming for a perfect sphere while accounting for manufacturing requirements and aerodynamics. Along the way, Ghys introduces us to the mathematics of Platonic solids, symmetries, polyhedra, turbulence, roughness, drag, and spin. He paints engaging portraits of the engineers and sports insiders who study and apply these phenomena and explains how the skills of players factor into how the ball behaves, whether the game is being played in stadiums, schoolyards, or backyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing a wealth of colour illustrations, \u003ci\u003eThe Football\u003c\/i\u003e blends a lively narrative with insights from a world-renowned geometer to tell a mathematical story unlike any other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘Erudite and whimsical...A kick for fans and nonfans alike.’\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirkus\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NewSouth Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47071492014316,"sku":"9780691263120","price":52.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2618343482434.jpg?v=1765021227"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/etienne-ghys.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}