Dan Rockmore's book: Stalking the Riemann Hypothesis

the Riemann Hypothesis
Pantheon Books, New York, 2005
Dan Rockmore

As the stakes increase, Prime-Number theory MovesCloser to Proof
Wall Street Journal,Science Journal
Sharon Begley

The Proof: an interview with Dan Rockmore
New Hampshire Public April 12. 2005 John Walters

With this book Dan attempts to describe the Prime Number Theorem and its history to the general public without using formulas. He does this by explaining the relevant mathematical concepts in terms of concepts famililer to his readers. For example the exponential function and rate of increase are discussed in terms of the spread of a rumor and the logarithm in terms of the Rickter scale. Density is described ifirst in terms of population density. remarking that the average number of people per square mile living in South Dekota is quite different from that of New Jersey. He then writes:

Similarly, we can ask how many prime numbers "live in the neighboood" of a particular number. Gauss's estimates imply that as we traipse along the number line with basket in hans, picking up primes, we will eventally acquaire them at a rate apporaching the reciprocal of the logarithm of the position that weve just passed.

.Along the way Dan gives a lively discussion of the mathematicians Euler, Gauss, Riemann and many others up to present day mathematicians working on solving the Riemann Hypothesis. He also gives the readers an understanding of what mathematics and mathematial research is all about.

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