Mathematics of Lifee - a book review

A mathematics professor named Ian Stewart wrote a book entitled “The Mathematics of Life” wherein mathematics found itself a role to play in the science of life. Science was just about physics or stamp collecting as defined by Rutherford. Biologists thought that mathematics cannot help or contribute in their principles. Mathematics was never associated with science particularly biology until it has shown itself unlocking some mysteries of the existing world. Stewart somehow connected mathematics and biology, creatively revealing the essence of their relationship and realizing its fundamental impact to the future. Nature and origin of life, being one of the most complex predicaments of the human race was being worked out not only through biology but also with the help of mathematics. This is somehow a proving of Galileo’s presumption that mathematics was at the heart of science as being showed that it really plays a vital role in sciences.

Stewart initially gave an overview of the history of biology and introduction of science basics where biologist could think it as uncomplicated while others, who technically doesn’t have even some of basic principles will think that they are starting to learn something new. He tried to explain complex concepts to something that any reader can understand. He primarily introduced five biological revolutions which were believed to be the reason of biology’s existence in the modern world: the innovation of the microscope, systematic means of specie classification, the evolution of species, the development of genetics and the structure of DNA. Human genome project is of course something that is not even in our basic knowledge nevertheless, Stewart was wisely elucidating how it did not turned out the way it was expected to be. Mathematics was then the sixth revolution expected to be on its way. It is now becoming an easily understood scenario for science to explain how things happen and not only just recording and using theories.

Now, as he goes on with his rationalizations about mathematics, it can be found out that complexity will be felt if normal people will read it; there was a point wherein only mathematicians can appreciate it. Nevertheless, the book has shown some interesting parts specifically in the introduction of biology and some explanations that connected mathematics to science wherein he used basic principles in life in order for readers to relate to it easily. All in all, readers will not be disappointed with the book since Stewart was able to explain smoothly, being very informative making readers to learn something new.