Mathematics of Life By Ian Stewart Book Review

                Is Mathematics, a Science or the other way around? Can Science exist without Mathematics? Can Mathematics exist without Science? Confusing, right?

                The book “Mathematics of Life” by Ian Stewart helps us unveil the vital role that mathematics plays in the world of sciences, how the mathematicians, scientists esp. biologists worked hand in hand with each other to uncover the secrets and problems of our natural origins and what we compose of.

                “Marigolds typically have 13 petals. Asters have 21. Many daisies have 34 petals; if not, they usually have 55 or 89…Sunflowers, which also belong to the daisy family, usually have 55, 89 or 144 petals…” The earliest mathematical model of the growth of a population was Leonardo of Pisa’s famous rabbit problem of 1202, mentioned in Chapter 4 in connection with this plant numerology. They follow a specific sequence of numbers called the Fibonacci numbers. This is one of the examples on how Mathematics and Science work together as stated by Mr. Stewart.

                Mathematics has played a leading role for centuries in the physical sciences, most spectacularly in physics. But as Mr. Stewart notes, the life sciences have traditionally regarded mathematics as little more than a tool for analyzing data. Now the life sciences' relative indifference is changing, Mr. Stewart says, as biologists are using mathematics and mathematical ideas in central ways to make new discoveries and achieve new understandings.

                Mr. Stewart has been successful in his goal in proving and presenting to us that there is really a relationship between Science and Mathematics. This book is a must-read. It offers many and diverse ideas that make you think deeply. It is also easy to understand. It also has many illustrations that help the readers visualize what he is referring to. This book would be of interest among students in the natural sciences especially to the students of the College of Science and Mathematics in our university.

                Indeed, Mathematics is only a branch of Science but Science will not survive without Mathematics and vice versa.