The Symmetries of Things

Have you ever exploited symmetry in your own designs, proofs, or organizational solutions? Of course the answer is "yes": symmetry is one of the deepest principles of human mind. In the form of conservation laws, it literally provides the basis for much of modern physics. But don't worry, this book is not about physics! It is a heavily illustrated book about the math behind symmetry.

Conway has created a wonderful example of graphical clarity and geometric thinking about regular patterns and tilings. Don't be put off by his coinage of goofy terms; he successfully presents deep mathematics via purely visual proofs. Furthermore, he turns the old way of presenting symmetry on its head, starting with geometry and topology, and only later show more addressing group theory.

This book is highly recommended to anyone who is interested in how symmetry works. Some understanding of group theory would be helpful, but the graphics alone make perusing the book worthwhile. show less