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The Big Questions
Mathematics
The Big Questions series is designed to let renowned experts address the 20 most fundamental and frequently asked questions of a major branch of science or philosophy. Each 3000-word essay simply and concisely examines a question that has eternally perplexed enquiring minds, and provides answers from history's great thinkers. This ambitious project is a unique distillation of humanity's best ideas. In Big Mathematics, Tony Crilly answers the 20 key What is maths for? Where do numbers come from? Why are primes the atoms of maths? What are the strangest numbers? Are imaginary numbers real? How big is infinity? Where do parallel lines meet? What is the maths of the universe? Are statistics lies? Can maths guarantee riches? Is there a formula for everything? Why are three dimensions not enough? Can a butterfly's wings really cause a hurricane? Can we create an unbreakable code? Is maths beauty? Can maths predict the future? What shape is the universe? What is symmetry? Is maths true? Is there anything left to solve?
208 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 28, 2012
I am one of those odd people who have rather catholic (in the original sense of 'universal') interests: while I love Literature, Philosophy and the Arts in all their forms, I have also always maintained an interest in all things Scientific as well, and a particular interest in its core discipline: mathematics. Most popular books on this subject are always of interest for me, but more often than not they tend to cover either comparatively simple or 'practical' applications, or are directed to the more esoteric complexities which can quickly cause the casual reader to become lost in its intricacies. There appears to be few neutral grounds.
This is not the case with this excellent book (one of a series of Big Questions edited by Simon Blackburn) — and perhaps it is because Crilly wisely uses what I would call a philosophical approach. In 20 chapters Crilly manages to cover the most interesting 'big questions' of Mathematics in a style that would not intimidate a casual reader. Each of these 'questions' is clearly enunciated, each is discussed as to why it is considered important, each briefly tells us what has been achieved in resolving the issues raised by them, and each goes on to explain why the solutions are important for all of us, not just for mathematicians. All of this is done with a minimum of formulae, and assumes only an intelligent reader. As a result, even those averse even to the idea of maths will find this book of immense interest. I found it truly instructive and informative — exciting, even — and would recommend it unreservedly for one and all.
The glories of Mathematics, its ineluctable mysteries, its attempts at coming to grips with our understanding of the world — these are the main conceptual matters Crilly covers, not the stringent methodology that, while necessary to minimise our potential errors, creates fear and loathing in some people. With any luck, this is the sort of book which might just spark an interest in those who might have otherwise thought mathematics to be a closed world.
This is not the case with this excellent book (one of a series of Big Questions edited by Simon Blackburn) — and perhaps it is because Crilly wisely uses what I would call a philosophical approach. In 20 chapters Crilly manages to cover the most interesting 'big questions' of Mathematics in a style that would not intimidate a casual reader. Each of these 'questions' is clearly enunciated, each is discussed as to why it is considered important, each briefly tells us what has been achieved in resolving the issues raised by them, and each goes on to explain why the solutions are important for all of us, not just for mathematicians. All of this is done with a minimum of formulae, and assumes only an intelligent reader. As a result, even those averse even to the idea of maths will find this book of immense interest. I found it truly instructive and informative — exciting, even — and would recommend it unreservedly for one and all.
The glories of Mathematics, its ineluctable mysteries, its attempts at coming to grips with our understanding of the world — these are the main conceptual matters Crilly covers, not the stringent methodology that, while necessary to minimise our potential errors, creates fear and loathing in some people. With any luck, this is the sort of book which might just spark an interest in those who might have otherwise thought mathematics to be a closed world.
May 27, 2020
Việc đọc cuốn sách này giống như cố làm bạn với một đứa đã bắt nạt mình suốt 12 năm đi học vậy :)) Lúc mua mình nghĩ là mình phải hiểu được tại sao mình ghét môn Toán như vậy, rốt cuộc đó là ghét hay sợ? Sợ hoài có được hong? Tất nhiên là hong, mình không muốn sau này có con, xong con mình ôm bài tập toán tới chỗ mình hỏi và mình tái me tái mét mặt mày ngất xỉu, nhỡ không lấy chồng giỏi toán thì phải làm sao? Thế là phải đọc thôi. Ít gì mình cũng phải rõ đứa mình ghét một tí, trông nó tròn méo ra sao????
ui lan man.
Một cuốn sách đem lại nhiều suy nghĩ. Đến nỗi mình ghi chú ngay trong sách, một hành động mà mình chưa bao giờ làm (vẽ bậy trong sgk thì không tính). Muốn nói về cuốn sách này thiệt nhiều híc híc.
dù sao thì môn toán vẫn quá là khó và không phải dành cho mình, nếu quay lại hồi xưa thì mình vẫn cứ sợ nhưng mà mình sẽ chăm chỉ hơn.
ui lan man.
Một cuốn sách đem lại nhiều suy nghĩ. Đến nỗi mình ghi chú ngay trong sách, một hành động mà mình chưa bao giờ làm (vẽ bậy trong sgk thì không tính). Muốn nói về cuốn sách này thiệt nhiều híc híc.
dù sao thì môn toán vẫn quá là khó và không phải dành cho mình, nếu quay lại hồi xưa thì mình vẫn cứ sợ nhưng mà mình sẽ chăm chỉ hơn.
February 18, 2021
The biggest problem with this book is that it doesn’t have a constant level. Some parts are easily understandable for anyone and other parts are for the ones who knows university physics and mathematics.
I have spent a few years studying mathematics and for me there were some really interesting parts BUT the examples are worthless. The book named several but never expounded them properly. Mostly I could only read the name/ title of the example at the end of the part/chapter and I have to search it on the internet.
For me this book was a huge disappointment.
I have spent a few years studying mathematics and for me there were some really interesting parts BUT the examples are worthless. The book named several but never expounded them properly. Mostly I could only read the name/ title of the example at the end of the part/chapter and I have to search it on the internet.
For me this book was a huge disappointment.
February 10, 2026
If you're the biggest fan of pure mathematics, this is your light reading. But for curious minds (like me)? Just reading and processing only what you can. Because I'll never completly understand those technical theories. Yet, the parts about history and the questions're quite eligible.
August 8, 2017
Da una pincelada de muchos temas pero no le da tiempo a entrar en ninguno a fondo. Parece un compendio de conversaciones de sobremesa. No lo recomiendo en absoluto.
December 25, 2022
Boring af
March 2, 2024
Đang nghe cái thấy mấy cái video Ted-Ed về toán chạy trong đầu (https://youtu.be/Uj3_KqkI9Zo?si=h55_i...). Sohaicacthu
January 22, 2026
My problem was an inconsistent depth of explanatory text. Some topics were explained clearly and others were scantily covered and caused confusion.
September 11, 2011
This book is perfect not only for the mathematician interested in other mathematical fields but also for the layman interested in mathematics as a whole. With concise explanations and original and easy-to-understand analogies, this book makes it easier to grasp those hard to imagine mathematical concepts that leave the majority of us blank-faced when confronted with them. I enjoyed the book well enough that I purchased two more from "The Big Questions" series.
December 23, 2015
This is a surprisingly interesting about math. Not only does it discuss about the classic math, it also expands the horizon to all the fields that is related to mathematics: monty hall (statistics), Enigma machine(encryption), golden ratio(art),.... The book also includes many well-chosen quotes. All in all, this book is a great way to explore mathematics and its usefulness to our life.
March 2, 2016
A good overview of some of the more interesting concepts in math. The book is good for the scientifically curious, but doesn't take a genius to understand. Like the other books in the series, very good binding, illustrations are fairly good, pages have a very nice feel.
June 6, 2011
a must-read book for mathematicians. my favourite chapters are "where do parallel lines meet?", and "are statistics lies?"
February 4, 2014
Nice popular level book that details some main themes within mathematics. Good for the curious layman and there could one or two new things for someone working in a STEM field.
November 29, 2015
Great book.
Recommended for engineers and laymen for a more profound understanding of the widely used mathematical methods, their origin and purposes.
Recommended for engineers and laymen for a more profound understanding of the widely used mathematical methods, their origin and purposes.
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June 26, 2013nothing
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews