Towing Icebergs, Falling Dominoes and Other Adventures in Applied Mathematics

This text is centred on real-world phenomena, such as how tall can one grow? And why do we get stuck in traffic? It uses math and reason to produce models to explain everything from the federal debt to the proper technique for ski-jumping. Common activities, such as skipping, playing football, growing flowers, measuring saving accounts and many others are inherently mathematical. The text is centred on real-world phenomenon, such as how tall can one grow? Why do we get stuck in traffic? Can California water shortages be alleviated by towing icebergs from Antarctica? What is the fastest the 100-metre dash will ever be run? This text uses math and reasoning together, to produce models to explain everything from the federal debt to the proper technique for ski-jumping.