Stephen Smale: The Mathematician Who Broke the Dimension Barrier

Download or read book Stephen Smale: The Mathematician Who Broke the Dimension Barrier written by Steve Batterson and published by American Mathematical Soc.. This book was released on 2012-12-30 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1957 Stephen Smale startled the mathematical world by showing that it is possible to turn a sphere inside out without cutting, tearing, or crimping. A few years later, from the beaches of Rio, he introduced the horseshoe map, demonstrating that simple functions could have chaotic dynamics. Despite his diverse accomplishments, Smales name is virtually unknown outside mathematics. One of the objectives of this book is to bring the life and work of this significant figure in intellectual history to the attention of a larger community.