Homework #4 Solutions

4.15b) 0.25 kg E in bottom/kg E in feed
4.26) y_in = 0.071, y_out = 0.001
4.32) Bypass fraction = 0.095

Book Review: Sync by Steven Strogatz

This is another excellent math book by the MIT math professor. Strogatz previously wrote the best book available on nonlinear differential equations, but this book has a different style. Sync is aimed at the non-mathematician audience, and should be readable by just about anyone. I really enjoyed the book and thought it was very interesting. However, I also found myself wishing for a few equations so that I could better understand the quantitative details of systems he was describing. Overall, great book. Grade: B+

This book also reminded me of a list I've been working on for a few years -- Great books about math that ANY engineer or scientist should read at some point. So far, the list is 3 books:
(1) The Equation that Couldn't be Solved (Mario Livio)
(2) Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinity (David Foster Wallace)
(3) Sync (Steven Strogatz)

Yes, I'm fully aware that there are 50 other books that I should add to this list, but I haven't had time to read them yet.