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7th out of 44 books
—
26 voters
The Man Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures (Biblioteca Desafios Matemáticos)
by
Malba Tahan
Malba Tahan is the creation of a celebrated Brazilian mathematician who was looking for a way to bring some of the mysteries and delights of mathematics to a wider public. He turned out to be a born storyteller.
The adventures of Beremiz Samir, The Man Who Counted, take the reader on an exotic journey in which, time and again, he summons his extraordinary mathematical power...more
The adventures of Beremiz Samir, The Man Who Counted, take the reader on an exotic journey in which, time and again, he summons his extraordinary mathematical power...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
January 17th 1993
by W. W. Norton & Company
(first published 1949)
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Directo de mi blog:
Este libro de "El Hombre que Calculaba" es uno de mis favoritos y aunque ya lo he leído, siempre es agradable volver a leer algunas partes.
El libro narrado por Malba Tahan, un musulmán de Bagdad, habla de los momentos que vivió a lado del hombre que calculaba: Beremiz Samir quien en su paso por Bagdad se hace de fama por su capacidad matemática para resolver problemas de toda índole.
La forma en que se narran las historias asociadas a problemas matemáticos es bastante amena y l...more
Este libro de "El Hombre que Calculaba" es uno de mis favoritos y aunque ya lo he leído, siempre es agradable volver a leer algunas partes.
El libro narrado por Malba Tahan, un musulmán de Bagdad, habla de los momentos que vivió a lado del hombre que calculaba: Beremiz Samir quien en su paso por Bagdad se hace de fama por su capacidad matemática para resolver problemas de toda índole.
La forma en que se narran las historias asociadas a problemas matemáticos es bastante amena y l...more
An interesting group of math-y episodes. Nice poetic (translated from the Portugese---the author is Brazilian. Takes place in Baghdad in the middle ages. About a self-taught mathematician, and how he wows those around him by solving difficult (but contrived) problems. I'd have liked more of a plot. I was pleasantly surprised by how many of the little vignettes I was not familiar with. But they were contrived, and some of them poorly-enough posed that it felt like it wasn't really a mathematician...more
Tijdens een reis van Samara naar Bagdad wordt Beremiz Samir, een jonge man met een buitengewoon wiskundig talent, voortdurend geconfronteerd met mensen die een beroep op hem doen om allerlei rekenkundige dilemma's en ruzies op te lossen. Spelenderwijs worden de problemen telkens weer uit de weg geruimd en weet Beremiz zijn publiek te vermaken met allerhande wiskundetrucjes en spelletjes. Voor elk schijnbaar onoplosbaar probleem heeft hij een oplossing, vaak zelfs zo eenvoudig dat de lezer zich z...more
I hated math in school but loved languages and literature. My father loves math and sciences, and always tried to make me see the beauty in numbers: to me as a teenager numbers were boring and useless.
He suggested then that I read the book The Man Who Counted written by Malba Tahan. My father thought this book will be great for me: I liked to read, and the author has a charming simplicity to explain math and how to apply it to everyday situations. Win-win situation.
I read it in Spanish first, a...more
He suggested then that I read the book The Man Who Counted written by Malba Tahan. My father thought this book will be great for me: I liked to read, and the author has a charming simplicity to explain math and how to apply it to everyday situations. Win-win situation.
I read it in Spanish first, a...more
The man who counted is a book of two guys named Beremiz and Honok.These two on there adventure run into a lot of problems.Beremiz then solves it in a way that will make evryone happy.When he solves it,he will sometimes get a reward,something he wants,or nothing at all.Until he is put to a challenge,he had to take 7 challenges.If he solved them all,he would get whatever he wants.But he refuses the offer and says,"I would rather marry Telassim."So they gave him a final challenge, if he solves it...more
This is a lovely little collection of mathematical tales told by a fictional Arabic scribe in around the 14th century Baghdad. There is a narrative connecting the stories as the narrator befriends Beremiz Samir, a wise Muslim mathematician also known as the Man Who Counted.
In each story, Beremiz wows the people that come in contact with him by his computational power, logic, and knowledge of the history of mathematics. Most of the stories are great mathematical logic, geometric, or computationa...more
In each story, Beremiz wows the people that come in contact with him by his computational power, logic, and knowledge of the history of mathematics. Most of the stories are great mathematical logic, geometric, or computationa...more
Outstanding! These little arabian tales about a man that solves mathematical puzzles and curiosities, kept me wishing I had studied more Maths. It is easy to follow and very enjoyable! I read it when I was little and still remember most of the riddles. These type of books always makes you feel a bit smarter.
The book The Man Who Counted is about two travelers named Hanak and Beremiz. Hanak is telling this story. Beremiz iz a great mathamation. These two are traveling and are Beremiz is solving all of these everyday dilemmas. Like the camels dilemma, melons dilemma, and dinner bill dilemma. ONe day Beremiz has the toughest challenge in front of him. He has to solve 8 very challenging dillemmas. I the end he conquers them all and is reward the princesses hand in marrage.
One question I have for this bo...more
One question I have for this bo...more
The man who counted by Malba Tahan is about a man named Hanak who is traveling to Baghdad when he meets a man named Beremiz. Beremiz is a mathematition who is also going that way. They decide to go look for work toether. On the way they meet a man named Salim Nassier. When they bring the important man to Baghdad, they are given important jobs. So the book basically shows their adventures together. At the end of the book he settles down and marries Sheik Izzid's daughter Tellassim
I think the au...more
I think the au...more
The man who counted is a book about this manamed hanak in his village that soon met Beremiz. This book has Beremiz being a really good counter and can count things just by looking at them. As the two were traveling to Bagdad, they ran into some problem but being the man who counted he solved them easily. In Bagdad he solved many more dilemma and he later became a man that works in the goverment. he soon went to a palace to tutor the kings daughter Talassim. For all of the delimmas Beremiz solved...more
Who would have thought you could enjoy a book all about "mathematical adventures"? Well, this is an excellent one. It was a fun, quick and easy read.
Oct 22, 2009
...75
added it
The man who counted was about two guys that traveled around and solving dilemmas. Beremiz is the main person who solves most of the dilemmas. Hanak was the narrator and Beremiz and Hanak met in the same first chapter of the book. They met when Hanak was traveling from one city to another and met where a guy was counting. The dilemmas were mostly about math and some of them were the camels, loaves, the four fours, jewlry and logging. At the end of the book Beremiz completes seven chalenges and i...more
Ricordo che da piccola l'avevo abbandonato; stavolta è andata molto meglio.
Non è una lettura particolarmente avvincente, ma questo non è necessariamente un male, si presta ad essere letto in più tempi in quanto i capitoli sono abbastanza indipendenti tra loro.
Ogni capitolo propone un problema logico-matematico inserito nella bellissima cornice narrativa ambientata a Baghdad sotto il califfo al-Mutasim. A narrarci la storia è uno scriba amico del protagonista Beremiz, l'Uomo che sapeva contare. I...more
Non è una lettura particolarmente avvincente, ma questo non è necessariamente un male, si presta ad essere letto in più tempi in quanto i capitoli sono abbastanza indipendenti tra loro.
Ogni capitolo propone un problema logico-matematico inserito nella bellissima cornice narrativa ambientata a Baghdad sotto il califfo al-Mutasim. A narrarci la storia è uno scriba amico del protagonista Beremiz, l'Uomo che sapeva contare. I...more
La gran historia de Beremiz Samir "El hombre que calculaba" una novela y a la vez un problemario con curiosidades matemáticas, un libro digno de admirar, una obra que logra mezclar estas dos cosas para convertirlas en una lectura ligera digna de aplausos, tal vez no te emocione con acción romances o fantasía, pero el sólo hecho de hacer las matemáticas tan llamativas y hasta cierto punto divertidas tiene su mérito, y bueno teniendo de trasfondo una historia sencilla, con un final -al menos para...more
Este libro está lleno de acertijos matemáticos que se pueden aplicar en cualquier conversación con los hijos de los amigos y dejarlos boquiabiertos con nuestro conocimiento de curiosidades científicas. La excusa es la historia de un hombre que recorría el mundo como un beduino, y tenía un montón de aventuras que siempre lo obligaban a utilizar sus extraordinarios conocimientos matemáticos. Es un libro interesante y entretenido, fácil de leer y que nos provee con datos curiosos para compartir con...more
Mar 28, 2008
Bookchica
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
those who like math and logic puzzles
This is one of the quirkiest books I've read. If you are one to hit the papers first thing in the morning to solve Sudoku, Kakuro, Mind bender, then go ahead and read this book. This is definitely your kind of book.
The Man Who Counted is about a mathematician Beremiz Samir and how he solves different problems with his knowledge of mathematics. Sort of like your Arabian Sherlock Holmes, just that the problems may not be that gory in nature. More like fights over camel distribution and such. He is...more
The Man Who Counted is about a mathematician Beremiz Samir and how he solves different problems with his knowledge of mathematics. Sort of like your Arabian Sherlock Holmes, just that the problems may not be that gory in nature. More like fights over camel distribution and such. He is...more
Mar 05, 2010
Levanah
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mio-fisico,
estoy-segura-que-lo-termine
El problema con este libro fueron mis expectativas.
Si en el prologo me hubieran dicho que el público meta ideal eran preadolescentes que necesitaran motivación en matemáticas, tal vez lo hubiera disfrutado más. Pero siempre esperé algo más que un cuento inocente, sin drama, sin intriga, sin escenas para llorar o reír.
A pesar de mi calificación de 2 de 5, el libro menciona algunos acertijos interesantes de matemáticas, que podrían ayudar -como dije antes- a algún muchacho a ver las matemáticas d...more
Si en el prologo me hubieran dicho que el público meta ideal eran preadolescentes que necesitaran motivación en matemáticas, tal vez lo hubiera disfrutado más. Pero siempre esperé algo más que un cuento inocente, sin drama, sin intriga, sin escenas para llorar o reír.
A pesar de mi calificación de 2 de 5, el libro menciona algunos acertijos interesantes de matemáticas, que podrían ayudar -como dije antes- a algún muchacho a ver las matemáticas d...more
What a surprise, I hate math but this book was fantastic, I loved it. I must say it isn't too complex when it comes to math calculations but it was really interesting. I would recommend it even if math isn’t or was your favorite subject. Give it a go read at least one of the short predicaments that “the man who counted” had to face through is journey.
Il sottotitolo di questo libro, "una raccolta di avventure matematiche", è un po' fuorviante. In realtà ci troviamo di fronte a una serie di problemi matematici sotto forma di racconti, un po' come Le Mille e una Notte: il tutto viene ambientato a Baghdad nel periodo del Califfato. Beremiz Samir, l'Uomo che Sapeva Contare, è in primo luogo un buon musulmano, ma anche una persona che ama i numeri sotto tutte le sue forme. I problemi che dovrà via via risolvere sono tutti piuttosto noti, ma devo d...more
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Un hombre del medio oriente que sin haber estudiado realizaba los cálculos inimaginables que ningún otra persona podía hacer, por muy estudiosos y sabios que fueran eran superados por este hombre que ni siquiera había estudiado, conoce mucho con respecto a la cultura musulmana.
Un libro muy educativo y entretenido.
Un libro muy educativo y entretenido.
Una exquisita combinación entre problemas matemáticos "simples" y las narración de las aventuras de Beremiz Samir (El hombre que calculaba). Adicionalmente se pueden encontrar múltiples referencias a notables matemáticos de las antiguas culturas orientales y occidentales de la época en que se ambienta la historia.
Libro bastante entretenido sobre todo por sus acertijos matemáticos que claro al final son explicados claramente, y su bella historia, solo el final no fue mucho de mi agrado, mas sin embargo lo considero pieza fundamental en la colección de todo ingeniero o persona involucrada en las matemáticas.
This book, written by a Brazillian mathematician is a delightful story of puzzles solved by the main character, who is a model for good. An engaging, humorous, and romantic story, wonderful for ages Jr. High and up, possibly younger. This is a great book to interest children and adults in algebra.
I read this book as a child, and I credit is as one of the reasons I like (and understand) math so much. A must-read, expecially for school-children, as they can gain a great appreciation for what math is and how it can be used beyond the dry things often seen in the classroom.
Jul 30, 2011
Saida
added it
i bought this book, so I could read it on the train. I really liked the look I got into Arabic and Islamic history and customs. I liked learning about mathematics some more. The problems were really interesting and nicely told! This way they are easy to remember and recount.
Wonderful and playful book about mathematics. It is full of quirky and intriguing mathematical properties all presented through the eyes of the fictitious Bermiz Samir as he makes his travels in the middle east. Do look for the problem of dividing the camels, it is a treat.
A nice book if you like math, a bit of history and a nice story woven around it. The book gets a bit monotonic at the end, like everything has already been told. Maybe it should have been 40 pages shorter, but then the story would not come to a nice ending...
My mother obliged me to read this when I was a kid, and I really wanted to read it, for she said it was good, but the guy kept doing maths! I was shocked that I couldn't find the plot, only situations that led to maths. Frustrated kid, hahaha.
Relat de lectura prou amena, que té mes a veure amb les matemàtiques que no pas amb la literatura. El protagonista ha de resoldre una llarga serie de problemes que se li van presentant al llarg d'un viatge, hi ho fa sense massa problemes, amb solucions creatives i originals gracies a les seva extraordinària facilitat pels càlculs matemàtics. Curiós. Distret.
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Malba Tahan, full name Ali Yezzid Izz-Edin ibn-Salim Hanak Malba Tahan, was a fictitious Persian scholar. He was the creation and frequent pen name of Brazilian author Júlio César de Mello e Souza.
According to the dedication and introductory chapters of The Man Who Counted (ostensibly written in the month of Ramadan in the year of the Hijrah 1321, corresponding to November 1903), Malba Tahan was a...more
More about Malba Tahan...
According to the dedication and introductory chapters of The Man Who Counted (ostensibly written in the month of Ramadan in the year of the Hijrah 1321, corresponding to November 1903), Malba Tahan was a...more
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“Geometry exist everywhere.It is necessary, however, to have eyes to see it, intelligence to understand it , and spirit to wonder at it.The wild Bedouin sees geometric forms but doesn't understand them ; the Sunni understands them but does not admire them; the artist, finally, perceives the perfection of figures, understands beauty, and admires order and harmony.God was the Great Geometer.He geometrized heaven and earth.”
—
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