Stochastic Communities presents a theory of biodiversity by analyzing the distribution of abundances among species in the context of a community. The basis of this theory is a distribution called the "J distribution." This distribution is a pure hyperbola and mathematically implied by the "stochastic species hypothesis" assigning equal probabilities of birth and death within the population of each species over varying periods of time. The J distribution in natural communities has strong empirical support resulting from a meta-study and strong theoretical support from a theorem that is mathematically implied by the stochastic species hypothesis.

Stochastic Communities

Science & Math

Dewdney, A.K.

Biological Sciences

CRC-Press

Starting with an elegant description of a small piece of land called Hungry Hollow, A.K. Dewdney introduces us to its denizens. The reader goes on a guided tour through the many dimensions of our natural habitat, back into prehistoric time and inward to a teeming microscopic world full of strange creatures performing bizarre feats. "It surprised me how 220 pages explaining biological phenomena can add up to a literary image of the magic of lifePerhaps this book will go some way to redress the general deficiency in judgement that allows humans to endanger other life forms..." -NEW SCIENTIST

Hungry Hollow: The Story of a Natural Place

Copernicus

The year is 1981, and in the computer lab of a large university a group of graduate students and their professor are hard at work on their mainframe, graphically modeling an imaginary two-dimensional world. The project is going well, extraordinarily well, when one student suddenly notices that the world they are building with their graphics program is . . . inhabited! So begins A.K. DewdneyÕs newly republished 1984 tale of trans-dimensional discovery and communication. The students and their professor find, to their astonishment, that they are communicating with Yendred, their only contact in the 2D world of Arde. At first disbelieving, they are soon entranced by a universe in which astonishing tiny creaturesÑindeed an entire astonishing worldÑexist solely on an x-y plane. This book, following in the footsteps Edward AbbotÕs nineteenth century classic Flatland, is a cult favorite among mathematicians and computer scientists. As a kind of mental puzzle or brain-teaser, it challenges and delights, inviting readers to imagine just how a two-dimensional world might work. But the book is also a parable, serving as a cautionary tale about the difficulties of communication from one totally alien world to another, and suggesting that it is not only two-dimensional Ardeans who fail to see beyond the the obvious world before their eyes.

The Planiverse: Computer Contact with a Two-Dimensional World

Computers & Technology

Computer Science

A mind-bending excursion to the limits of science and mathematics Are some scientific problems insoluble? In Beyond Reason, internationally acclaimed math and science author A. K. Dewdney answers this question by examining eight insurmountable mathematical and scientific roadblocks that have stumped thinkers across the centuries, from ancient mathematical conundrums such as "squaring the circle," first attempted by the Pythagoreans, to G?del's vexing theorem, from perpetual motion to the upredictable behavior of chaotic systems such as the weather. A. K. Dewdney, PhD (Ontario, Canada), was the author of Scientific American's "Computer Recreations" column for eight years. He has written several critically acclaimed popular math and science books, including A Mathematical Mystery Tour (0-471-40734-8); Yes, We Have No Neutrons (0-471-29586-8); and 200% of Nothing (0-471-14574-2).

Beyond Reason: Eight Great Problems That Reveal the Limits of Science

Mathematics

wiley

An entertaining and irreverent expose of science gone wrong In his critically acclaimed success 200% of Nothing, A.K. Dewdney revealed the alarming shenanigans of those who use "bad math" to deceive us. Now he turns his sharp-witted eye on the practitioners of "bad science" and offers an equally amusing and informative tour of the often odd, sometimes disturbing mistakes scientists make. Dewdney profiles eight notorious cases of bad science, revealing fundamental errors from the subtle to the ridiculous, including claims hailing from major research centers backed by millions of dollars of funding. We learn the inside scoop about the infamous fusion fiasco, scrutinize the strange saga of the media-hyped Biosphere, probe the appealing but flawed logic of the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence, and much more. Written in Dewdney's trademark humorous style and full of intriguing and eye-opening facts and figures A.K. DEWDNEY (London, Ontario) is the author of 200% of Nothing (Wiley) as well as past author of the popular "Mathematical Recreations" column in Scientific American. An Eye-Opening Tour Through the Twists and Turns of Bad Science A.K. Dewdney. "We need more books like this-especially if they're this much fun to read."-Wired. "Written with wit and a touch of pathos-and sure to please science lovers."-Scientific American. A deliciously irreverent expose of science gone wrong. In his critically acclaimed book 200% of Nothing, A.K. Dewdney revealed the absurd shenanigans of those who use "bad math" to deceive us. Now he focuses his mercilessly comic perspective on the practitioners of "bad science" and offers an equally entertaining and informative tour of eight notorious cases of bad science, ranging from the subtle (the infamous cold fusion fiasco) to the ridiculous (the case of the phantom "N-rays"). A.K. Dewdney (London, Ontario) is the author of A Mathematical Mystery Tour, 200% of Nothing (both from Wiley), The Armchair Universe, and The Planiverse. He is the former Mathematical Recreations columnist for Scientific American.

Yes, We Have No Neutrons: An Eye-Opening Tour through the Twists and Turns of Bad Science

Reference

Acclaim for "In today's world, 'innumeracy' is an even greaterdanger than illiteracy, and is perhaps even more common.Advertisers and politicians exploit it; intellectuals (self-styled)even flaunt it. I hope that this wise and witty book will providecures where they are possible, and warnings where they arenecessary. "It's also a lot of fun. I can guarantee that 100%."--Arthur C.Clarke "Dewdney retells with charm and wit magnificent morsels ofmathematical mayhem discovered by his army of volunteer 'abusedetectives.' From 'sample trashing' to 'numerical terrorism,' from'percentage pumping' to 'dimensional dementia,' 200% of Nothingplumbs the depths of innumeracy in daily life and reveals whatordinary people can do about it. A rich, readable, instructive, and persuasive book."--Lynn ArthurSteen, Professor of Mathematics, St. Olaf College

200% of Nothing: An Eye-Opening Tour through the Twists and Turns of Math Abuse and Innumeracy

A Mathematical Mystery Tour: Discovering the Truth and Beauty of the Cosmos

Praise for A. K. Dewdney Yes, We Have No Neutrons "We need more books like this-especially if they're this much fun to read." -Wired "Dewdney manages to make this catalog of error entertaining as well as instructive; good medicine for both skeptics and true believers." -Kirkus Reviews "Written with wit and a touch of pathos-and sure to please science lovers." -Publishers Weekly 200% of Nothing "It is impossible to read this timely, important book without enjoyment and eye-opening enlightenment." -Martin Gardner "An entertaining, stinging exposé." -Publishers Weekly

John Wiley&Sons, Inc.

John Wiley&Sons

Acclaim for "In today's world, 'innumeracy' is an even greater danger than illiteracy, and is perhaps even more common. Advertisers and politicians exploit it; intellectuals (self-styled) even flaunt it. I hope that this wise and witty book will provide cures where they are possible, and warnings where they are necessary. "It's also a lot of fun. I can guarantee that 100%."--Arthur C. Clarke "Dewdney retells with charm and wit magnificent morsels of mathematical mayhem discovered by his army of volunteer 'abuse detectives.' From 'sample trashing' to 'numerical terrorism,' from 'percentage pumping' to 'dimensional dementia,' 200% of Nothing plumbs the depths of innumeracy in daily life and reveals what ordinary people can do about it. A rich, readable, instructive, and persuasive book."--Lynn Arthur Steen, Professor of Mathematics, St. Olaf College

200% of Nothing : An Eye-Opening Tour through the Twists and Turns of Math Abuse and Innumeracy

A classic book about life in a two-dimensional universe, written by a well-known author. Now brought back into print in this revised and updated edition, the book is written within the great tradition of Abbott's Flatland, and Hinton's famous Sphereland. Accessible, imaginative, and clever, it will appeal to a wide array of readers, from serious mathematicians and computer scientists, to science fiction fans.

Experiments, Instruments & Measurement

Poseidon Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Dewdney, A.K.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Dewdney, A.K.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Dewdney, A.K.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Stochastic Communities

Hungry Hollow: The Story of a Natural Place

The Planiverse: Computer Contact with a Two-Dimensional World

Beyond Reason: Eight Great Problems That Reveal the Limits of Science

Yes, We Have No Neutrons: An Eye-Opening Tour through the Twists and Turns of Bad Science

200% of Nothing: An Eye-Opening Tour through the Twists and Turns of Math Abuse and Innumeracy

A Mathematical Mystery Tour: Discovering the Truth and Beauty of the Cosmos

A Mathematical Mystery Tour: Discovering the Truth and Beauty of the Cosmos

200% of Nothing : An Eye-Opening Tour through the Twists and Turns of Math Abuse and Innumeracy

The Planiverse: Computer Contact with a Two-Dimensional World