Wanderings

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Beyond Infinity

We all know that infinity is really, really big and we use the term in conversation, often quite flippantly. But there are actual mathematics behind the study and understanding of infinity. Cheng takes the reader on a journey through a series of clever thought experiments that reveal the many aspects of infinity. She explains the mathematics behind the notion of infinity in a way that is very understandable for non-mathematicians. As I read the book it became easier to think about this lofty concept. With clever use of real world components (like cookies, hotel rooms, and chessboards) in her examples, the author brings an infinitely complex topic down to Earth so us mere mortals can grasp a little bit of the infinite.