What We Are Reading Today: Infinite Powers by Steven H. Strogatz
It harnesses an unreal number — infinity — to tackle real‑world problems
Updated 19 June 2019
Arab News
Without calculus, we would not have cellphones, TV, GPS, or ultrasound. We would not have unraveled DNA or discovered Neptune or figured out how to put 5,000 songs in your pocket.
Though many of us were scared away from this essential, engrossing subject in high school and college, Steven Strogatz’s brilliantly creative, down‑to‑earth history shows that calculus is not about complexity; it is about simplicity. It harnesses an unreal number — infinity — to tackle real‑world problems, breaking them down into easier ones and then reassembling the answers into solutions that feel miraculous.
Infinite Powers recounts how calculus tantalized and thrilled its inventors, starting with its first glimmers in ancient Greece and bringing us right up to the discovery of gravitational waves (a phenomenon predicted by calculus), says a review published on goodreads.com.
Strogatz reveals how this form of math rose to the challenges of each age: How to determine the area of a circle with only sand and a stick; how to explain why Mars goes “backward” sometimes; how to make electricity with magnets and how to ensure your rocket does not miss the moon.
RIYADH: If you are looking for high-end Italian food in Riyadh with an ambience as great as the menu, Agio is the place to go. Tucked into The Canopy in central Riyadh in the Hittin neighborhood, Agio is a great location for those looking for Italian that is farther away from heavy traffic on the weekends.
The restaurant draws inspiration from the Amalfi Coast of Italy, with the flavors, colors and aroma of Capri making its way into the Agio experience. Agio describes itself as “the celebration of food of the Capri coast” as its menu blends traditional dishes with new flavors and innovative twists.
When entering, you can choose to either sit on the upstairs outdoor terrace or at the indoor tables downstairs. If you are going when the weather is pleasant, I would certainly recommend sitting upstairs, as the scenery, view and decor is unbeatable.
For the menu, I would opt for appetizers like the bresaola, which costs SR112 ($30) — it is a great starter for a classic Italian dinner as it blends flavors of Spanish beef with parmesan. If you are looking for a carb and creamy starter instead, Agio’s sformato di patate is a delicious option.
Priced at SR38, the appetizer brings together baked potatoes with a warm creamy cheese sauce. The menu offers other appetizers with many including soup, calamari and salad.
Limoncello Tiramisù. (Supplied)
Their baby calamari (SR132) and Flamengo tomato soup (SR45) are both worth trying if you are looking for more appetizers for the table.
Moving onto mains, the pasta and ravioli menus are excitingly diverse. With a vast array of options to choose from, I would order multiple options to share for the table as you do not want to limit yourself to one dish.
A favorite of mine would be the rigatoni piccanti (SR95), which blends creamy pink sauce with spicy aromas from the chili sauce. For truffle lovers, Agio offers both a ravioli and risotto option. Risotto al tartufo (SR275) is a classic creamy risotto shaved black truffle. For those who favor a good ravioli, the truffle & pecorino ravioli (SR115) is a creamier option due to the soft ricotta filling.
Agio offers a vast menu for mains which ranges from the pastas listed above to many more, as well pizza, meat, fish and chicken selections. The veal Milanese (SR210) and branzino di sofia (SR185) are great protein-based dishes to pair alongside your selected pastas and pizzas.
Be sure to save some space for dessert because Agio’s dessert menu truly brings a taste of Capri to the table.
If you are looking to dive into the zesty lemon flavors of the Amalfi Coast, I recommend either the torta della nonna (SR70) or the limoncello tiramisu (SR105). The torta della nonna is a nutty and lemony pastry dessert option, whereas the limoncello tiramisu is a soft mascarpone cream dish. For those looking to try more traditional dessert options, I would opt for the classic tiramisu.
While Agio is a delicious option for anyone looking to try a Capri-style restaurant in Riyadh, the restaurant is certainly on the higher-end price wise; but if you are willing to spend a little extra, Agio’s menu is worth the visit.
