How Numbers Work: Discover the strange and beautiful world of mathematics

New Scientist: Instant Expert

by New Scientist

Think of a number between one and ten.
No, hang on, let's make this interesting. Between zero and infinity. Even if you stick to the whole numbers, there are a lot to choose from - an infinite number in fact. Throw in decimal fractions and infinity suddenly gets an awful lot bigger (is that even possible?) And then there are the negative numbers, the imaginary numbers, the irrational numbers like pi which never end. It literally never ends.

The world of numbers is indeed strange and beautiful. Among its inhabitants are some really notable characters - pi, e, the "imaginary" number i and the famous golden ratio to name just a few. Prime numbers occupy a special status. Zero is very odd indeed: is it a number, or isn't it?

How Numbers Work takes a tour of this mind-blowing but beautiful realm of numbers and the mathematical rules that connect them. Not only that, but take a crash course on the biggest unsolved problems that keep mathematicians up at night, find out about the strange and unexpected ways mathematics influences our everyday lives, and discover the incredible connection between numbers and reality itself.

ABOUT THE SERIES
New Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Mathematics, Popular Science, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published March 21, 2018

Reviews

[Hanie Noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever felt so fulfilled after finishing a book? this book did it for me. It's rather a short book though I really did take my time with this one (since I'm a poly reader). Been updating bits of my annotations which can be found in my activities/reading progress and OMG? It's brief and though its more on the history of maths, it did explains the workings behind it well. Definitely suggest reading this together with Tegmark's Our Mathematical Universe.
What to expect: The title really explains what this book is about but in bite size
(deducted 1 star bcs I would appreciate if some parts got more details).

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book that takes the reader on an insightful overview of the world of mathematics. From statistics and probability to Fermat's theorem, the contributors seek to provide a layperson's understanding of common, esoteric and unsolved issues in the realm of numbers.

While this book is not going to endow you with the prowess to easily generate prime numbers, it will introduce you to some of the current and historical players who have done groundbreaking work in the field. There are sections that deal with some of the unsolved mysteries that have plagued mathematicians for years, and explains how some puzzles were eventually solved. Accompanied with a list of topics for future reading, this is an excellent primer for any curious minds.

I have not encountered any works by New Scientist before, but if this title is anything to gauge them by, it is certainly a group to pay attention to.

[Asad Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice introduction to mathematical concepts apart from the chapter on Elections and voting I enjoyed reading the book.

The number pi, e, phi & even infinity all were covered with a nice introduction. Statistics, probability and there was even some stuff on quantum mechanics.

The book was easy to read and understand I would recommend parents giving this book to their children to spark curiosity and interest in mathematics.

[Gijs Limonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars;

[Simon P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a delight. It’s a sort of mathematics safari. You get a glimpse of an interesting problem here and a cool application of mathematics there. Never staying in one place too long and keeping you wanting to see what’s next.

It practically buzzes with enthusiasm and never felt like it was trying to teach me maths.

I actually listened to the audiobook version, which has the added enjoyment of sounding remarkably like the voice of the book from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”.

[Bryan Thomas Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent primer for bringing people u9 to speed on the modern state of math, including key theories, significant people and discoveries and the vital role of math in every day life. A great read. Highly recommended.

[Doc Kinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good surface book. Not a lot of real meat, but that's fine for a book at this level. Lots of good stories and data that you can use to move deeper into the subjects that interest you!

[Hasan Asif · Rating 2 out of 5]

4/10 This was initially interesting but then got too mathematical for a normal reader

[John A. Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to the complexities of numbers, and whilst some of it is extremely complex, it is still a great way to learn a bit more about the importance of mathematics in the real world.
We start out with some the of the obvious concepts, the (arguably to some) most important being the concept of zero (0). It seems obvious to us today, but zero had to be ‘discovered’ or ‘invented’ and it took much longer for this to happen than you might expect. The book moves on to infinity, then to a series of special numbers including pi, e and imaginary numbers. It examples the different types of numbers – integers, negative numbers, rational and irrational numbers and complex numbers, then discusses probability.
We are also introduced to unsolved problems in maths, how maths affects our every day lives, and what it all means (although the later is not answered).
Overall I enjoyed the book. It can get extremely complicated, and it takes a second read on a few sections to get to grips with some of the more complex areas, but if you are interested in mathematics, numbers or science in general, it is worth a read.

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s fair to say that quite a bit of this went over my head - the authors try to make maths accessible and light, but there are definitely concepts here that I wasn’t able to fully grasp or comprehend. That said, it was a really enjoyable read nonetheless and good to learn about topics I hadn’t really considered since school.

[Imroze Aslam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was more fascinating and useful than I expected. I learnt many little things that can be helpful. As a Data Scientist and Engineer I really enjoyed the parts on Probability & Statistics, Numbers & Reality and Applications of Mathematics in everyday life. The book explains things in an interesting and thought provoking way and it increased my interest in Mathematics.

[هاجر العتيبي · Rating 4 out of 5]

أعجبني أسلوب المؤلف في طرح بعض المفاهيم الرياضية، مثل مفهوم الصفر الذي استغرق وقتًا طويلًا لاكتشافه، ثم انتقل إلى مفهوم اللامتناهي، ومن ثم الثوابت الرياضية مثل π وe. كما يتطرق إلى المسائل التي لم يتم حلها في الرياضيات وكيف تؤثر الرياضيات على حياتنا اليومية.

قرأت الكتاب في العاشر من سبتمبر 2023، وأجريت التدقيق اللغوي في الثالث من سبتمبر 2024."

[walnut_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the world of mathematics and its applications! Wonderful for anyone interested in numbers and it could raise a great sense of curiosity in those willing to learn more about mathematics :)

[Desollado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, although I will have to check the philosophical part of this.

[Nicoleta Fedorca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needs more than one read.

[Martin Smetana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful revision of some mathematical concepts and a great introduction to others.

[Maylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few books covering this material and it does feel like each time a little bit more sticks. Maybe one day I will even grasp String Theory! It was remarkably easy to listen to though.

[Astroretro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable summary of many mathematical concepts for a general audience.

[John Bleasdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun look

A fun look at a tough subject. Not necessarily transparent for an innumerate such as mySelf but still very very interesting

[may · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just yes

[Mel Kim Lam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars cos I barely understood anything but found it so enjoyable to read ahaha very interesting !!!!!

[Paul Grosvenor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but not am easy read.

[MARC L'ESPERANCE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple and quick read for weekend but intellectual enough to boost my reflections about the truth of universe and the connections between everything didn’t think through before.

[Day Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book basics of lots covered well

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book

I didn’t understand it all but that’s ok because I relaxed and enjoyed the journey the authors took me on.

[Özgür Takmaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

P= değildir NP