Joy of X: How Algebra Shapes Your Daily Life

by Michael Willers

Understand algebra and all other branches of mathematics and arithmetic will suddenly open up in front of you. The Joy of x is a collection of problems - some with practical applications, others designed as purely theoretical puzzles - designed to explain the basic elements of algebra to everyone, no matter what their level of mathematical ability. Although it can be read from cover to cover, The Joy of x can also be read on a potluck basis, picking a page or problem at random. Its easy-to-follow format guides the reader through this fascinating subject, with a combination of exercises, profiles and background information. - Discover what a formula really is, how to calculate mortgage interest, plan a journey time, or simply enjoy the theory and history of algebra - Combines background information with absorbing problems and puzzles - Explores the lives and discoveries of key mathematicians from the history of algebra
* All the stimulation of this fascinating subject - with none of the pain of school!
* Easy-to-follow format that gently guides, explains and entertains
* Relevant to daily life, yet also far-reaching and absorbing
* The perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for man in your life

Genres: Nonfiction, Mathematics, Science

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very difficult for a right brained person to stay committed to reading; however, I'm very glad my math-loving friend recommended it to me. It was enlightening and sometimes even enjoyable to see how algerbra has advanced our world - couldn't have quality of life without it! For nonfiction, this was well thought out, structured, and nicely presented.

[Longbeverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not at all as good as the joy of (little)x: a guided tour of math. Too technical, not enough anecdotes and humor. I don't want a textbook.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chanced across this book in the library and the title made me laugh out loud so I picked it up. I've never had the type of brain that can understand abstract mathematical concepts but the first few pages of this book were readable, interesting and understandable so I thought I'd read it and see if Michael Willers could explain the mysteries of algebra to my very limited brain.

Well, unfortunately most of the algebraic problems in this book were well beyond my abilities, but I learnt a lot about the history of mathematics and famous mathematicians in a very enjoyable way, and I do now understand that algebra is not some form of torture inflicted on innocent human beings by sadistic maths teachers, but actually underlies all sorts of everyday activities.

This book is written in short, mostly one-page, sections so you can pick it up and dip into it. I have no idea whether it would be useful for people who do have an understanding of algebra, but for ignoramuses like myself this is a painless way to learn a little about mathematics. The style of the book means you can easily skip over the technical stuff when it gets too hard and just read the historical and biographical bits and the easy maths parts.

[Jenael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the layout, where each page is dedicated to one topic/discovery/famous person, and the book gives a good illustration of the mathematical proof related to that topic. The book covers binomial, logarithm, polynomial, compound interest, simple ciphers, combination/permutations etc. It's a long list and I enjoyed the trip down memory lane on what I learnt back in school. Unfortunately, I think the book could do much better in generating intrigue on the various theorems, what kind of implications they had and what big problem they solved, rather than being so factual. The book didn't exactly inspire 'joy' as I think the author wished, judging by the title. Not that it's boring. It just seems like a crashcourse textbook of everything there is to know up to Grade X in a pretty design.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

While slightly more technical than I had wanted (i.e., too many equations), this book (written by a mathematician) tries to show, by using many examples, how "advanced" math (calculus, exponentials, vectors, etc.) are relevant in every day life. While some are interesting (using group theory to determine which way to flip your mattress), some of the others are a BIG stretch (using probability and statistics to determine how many people to date to find "the one"). Still, I think there is some validity in books like this which try to demystify math for the average reader (who never liked math or was not that good at it in school) and show that is really is useful in your everyday life beyond school.