The strangest numbers in string theory.

• Autores: John C. Baez, John Huerta
• Localización: Scientific American, ISSN 0036-8733, Vol. 304, Nº. 5, 2011, págs. 60-65
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The article reports how a forgotten number system invented in the 19th century, called octonions, may provide the simplest explanation for why the universe could have ten dimensions. The authors note that octonions have established a place in string theory and that if the string theory is a correct representation of the universe, it could explain the number of dimensions the universe contains. Topics include the relationship of real and imaginary numbers, such as octonions, how imaginary numbers can be thought of as geometric manipulations, and how octonions can advance the understanding of particle physics research in the fields of supersymmetry and string theory. INSETS: Math in Multiple Dimensions;The Problem with Rotations.