New Books in the History of Science Paulina Rowinska, "Mapmatics: How We Navigate the World Through Numbers" (Pan Macmillan, 2024)
Jun 19, 2024
Dr. Paulina Rowinska, a math PhD and author of "Mapmatics," dives into how mathematics influences our understanding of maps. She explores why delivery drivers can manage hundreds of packages, the surprising reasons behind Alaska's large airport, and even how maps can mislead as much as guide. From the significance of historical maps to the complexities of urban navigation and crime mapping, Rowinska reveals how math and cartography shape our perceptions and decisions in an entertaining and insightful journey.
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Why Maps Need Mathematics
- Paulina Rowinska couldn't find a book linking maps and mathematics, so she wrote one connecting key mathematical ideas to cartography.
- She aims to teach readers to read maps critically and avoid being misled by their implicit assumptions.
Mercator's Purpose And Limits
- The Mercator projection was created for navigation so constant compass bearings map to straight lines.
- Its size distortions make equatorial regions look smaller, so it's unsuitable for teaching relative area.
Pick Projections By Purpose
- No flat map can represent the globe without distortion; different projections preserve different properties.
- Choose map projections by which property you need preserved and teach multiple projections to spot biases.
