William J. Cook - In Pursuit of The Travelling Salesman (2nd Hand Hardback)
ISBN / GTIN-13 : 9780691152707
Synopsis
Subtitled : Mathematics at the limits of Computation.
The story of one of the greatest unsolved problems in mathematics.
What is the shortest possible route for a traveling salesman seeking to visit each city on a list exactly once and return to his city of origin?
It sounds simple enough, yet the traveling salesman problem is one of the most intensely studied puzzles in applied mathematics - and it has defied solution to this day.
In this book, William Cook takes readers on a mathematical excursion, picking up the salesman's trail in the 1800's when Irish mathematician W. R. Hamilton first defined the problem, and venturing to the furthest limits of today's state-of-the-art attempts to solve it.
He also explores its many important applications, from genome sequencing and designing computer processors to arranging music and hunting for planets.
In Pursuit of the Traveling Salesman travels to the very threshold of our understanding about the nature of complexity, and challenges you yourself to discover the solution to this captivating mathematical problem.
Details
- Format : Standard 2nd Hand Hardback with Dust Jacket
- Condition : Very Good
- Category : Non-Fiction - Science & Technology
- Published : 2012 (Princeton University Press - 1st Edition, 2nd Printing)
- ISBN : 9780691152707
- SKU : B002812
- PPC : SP600gm
- RRP : $27.95
- Quantity Available : 1 only.
External Reviews
"Fascinating . . . describes the history, personalities, challenges, applications and techniques used to find solutions of the famous 'Traveling Salesman Problem' and related problems." - Pradeep Mutalik, Wordplay blog at New York Times.
"In his new book, aptly titled In Pursuit of the Traveling Salesman, William Cook enlists us to join him on a personal journey through all-things past and present regarding this mammoth of a mathematical problem. . . . I would highly recommend this book to interested readers and high school mathematics teachers, especially those of upper-level coursework. A great deal of mathematics is covered here and the TSP can easily spark debate and inquiry in the classroom." - Christopher Thompson.
"In Pursuit of the Traveling Salesman: Mathematics at the Limits of Computation, does a wonderful job presenting the history and significance of the TSP and an overview of cutting-edge research. It's a beautiful, visually rich book, full of colour photographs and diagrams that enliven both the narrative and mathematical presentation. And it includes a wealth of information." - Math Less Travelled.
The Author
William John Cook is an American operations researcher and mathematician, and Professor of Applied Mathematics and Statistics at Johns Hopkins University, where he joined the faculty in 2018.
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