Power-Up: Unlocking the Hidden Mathematics in Video Games

Description

A fun and lively look at the mathematical ideas concealed in video games Did you know that every time you pick up the controller to your PlayStation or Xbox, you are entering a game world steeped in mathematics? Power-Up reveals the hidden mathematics in many of today's most popular video games and explains why mathematical learning doesn't just h

Matthew Lane is a mathematician and cofounder of Rithm, a school for aspiring web developers. He is also the creator of Math Goes Pop!, a blog that explores the interconnections between mathematics and popular culture. He lives in San Francisco.

"Lane explores secondary, or hidden, mathematical gems that a player might discover upon mature reflection. . . . Just as most car drivers prefer not to inquire how the internal combustion engine works, most video-type users prefer not to ask how computer magic works. For the few who do ask questions, Lane assures us and as his book testifies, 'there's a lot of mathematics under the surface'."---Andrew James Simoson, MathSciNet "Lane explains some pretty technical concepts in an accessible way. . . . A fun survey of interesting maths related through the lens of video games."---Paul Taylor, Aperiodical "The examples [in Power-Up] were carefully chosen from very popular games, so even the most casual player will have heard of the vast majority of the games discussed. In general, Lane's writing is easy to digest, and the use of color and high-quality paper gives the book a nice look and feel." * Choice * "Power Up is a very readable book based on examples taken from popular video games. . . . It is a pity that too many people are deprived of the pleasure of finding things out via the intellectual game of mathematics. Hopefully, the effort of the likes of Matthew Lane will someday solve the severe marketing problem of mathematics." * Computing Reviews * "Overall the book is excellent. Lane has written a high readable text with colorful illustrations. You won't regret reading it and maybe Power-Up will add a new level of insight to your computer gaming." * MAA Reviews * "Matthew Lane explores the mathematical underpinning many popular video games in this well-written and very enjoyable book that is pitched at a very broad audience"---Dominic Thorrington, Mathematics Today