Summary of Decoding the Universe

Decoding the Universe, by renowned physicist Charles Seife, is an exploration of how and why scientists use mathematics to explain the behavior of the universe. The book presents the fascinating story of how we have unraveled the mysteries of the universe and applied the laws of physics to create powerful tools, such as computers and lasers, that have changed our lives. Seife delves into the history of how humanity's efforts to understand the cosmos have spanned centuries, covering such diverse topics as the development of relativity, quantum mechanics, and chaos theory. The book also examines the implications for science and technology of the findings made by the great physicists of the past. Finally, Seife explains why mathematics—the language of the universe—is so important in our pursuit of knowledge.