Dude, Can You Count? Stories, Challenges, and Adventures in Mathematics

by Christian Constanda (Editor)

Imagine algebra class meets The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy… Meet JJ, an unusual character with a unique vantage position from which he can measure and monitor humanity’s progress. Armed with a device that compels all around it to tell the truth, JJ offers a satirical evaluation of our attitudes to numeracy and logic, touching upon several aspects of life on Earth along the way, from the criminal justice system and people’s use of language to highway driving and modern art. A collection of mathematically-flavored stories and jokes, interlaced with puzzles, paradoxes and problems, fuse together in an entertaining, free-flowing narrative that will engage and amuse anyone with an interest in the issues confronting society today. JJ demonstrates how a lack of elementary mathematical knowledge can taint our work and general thinking and reflects upon the importance of what is arguably our most valuable weapon against a sound mathematical education.

Genres: Mathematics

313 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Griffin Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stumbled across this one at the library. I love great fictional stories that explore math and science topics, but this one doesn't incorporate the math into the narrative. The writing is dry and unimaginative, despite featuring an alien as a main character.

Years ago, I enjoyed how Janna Levin weaved concepts from physics and geometry into How the Universe Got Its Spots by Janna Levin. I'm optimistic that Hapgood by Tom Stoppard and Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter will give me a similar experience.

[afloatingpoint · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unbelievably hilarious math book one could have ever read.

Updated: Having a personal relationship with the author certainly causes me to have some bias in reviewing this book. To be as fair as possible, the first two chapters might be a bit boring, but trust me, it gets a lot better after that, especially if you love math.

[Thom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off well enough, very similar to the Number Devil. Later chapters revealed that the veneer was not terribly clever, just thinly applied. Math and puzzles increased in difficulty through the book, and are recommended - but the rest was not terribly satisfying. Averages out to "liked it."

[Luke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gift from my Mom. Very bad.