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Math for Life: Crucial Ideas You Didn't Learn in School
How can we solve the national debt crisis? Should you or your child take on a student loan? Is it safe to talk on a cell phone while driving? Are there viable energy alternatives to fossil fuels? What could you do with a billion dollars? Could simple policy changes reduce political polarization? These questions may all seem very different, but they share two things in common. First, they are all questions with important implications for either personal success or our success as a nation. Second, they all concern topics that we can fully understand only with the aid of clear quantitative or mathematical thinking. In other words, they are topics for which we need math for life—a kind of math that looks quite different from most of the math that we learn in school, but that is just as (and often more) important. In Math for Life , award-winning author Jeffrey Bennett simply and clearly explains the key ideas of quantitative reasoning and applies them to all the above questions and many more. He also uses these questions to analyze our current education system, identifying both shortfalls in the teaching of mathematics and solutions for our educational future. No matter what your own level of mathematical ability, and no matter whether you approach the book as an educator, student, or interested adult, you are sure to find something new and thought-provoking in Math for Life .
216 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2011
7 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 6, 2014
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, especially as I've long considered myself a math-phobe. Bennett is an engaging, efficient, and persuasive writer. This book elegantly blends explanation with opinion on topics that should interest every citizen. I especially liked how each chapter started by posing a question to the reader--this was a brilliant device executed consistently well. I look forward to looking up some of Bennett's other books, both for adults and children.
March 31, 2020
Most mathematical principals discussed in this book are sound and are undoubtedly important to overall life. Hence, we see at least a portion of the title as "Math for Life." The author surely does put a good foot and faith forward when explaining mathematical concepts and constructions that can be applicable to life and undoubtedly beneficial to life as a whole. I am an engineer and have practiced and learned most, if not all the arithmetic or other numerical languages described in this book and was pleasantly surprised to read about the different ways in which the author addresses or describes mathematical implications. In other words, in math, we as humans are virtually always seeking a "right answer," "final product" or “end goal” in completing equations, proofs, givens, etcetera, but not every mathematical approach to attaining the "right answer/final product/end goal" is the same despite concluding the same answer/product/goal. I was glad to read about the approaches or ideas I've not previously thought of or been taught.
Of course, if the book were just about the language of math, then the book would be rather dry, as sometimes math is. There is no doubting that. The author surely (in some areas) does a great job in explaining the implications of math, such as gambling and casinos, the ways by which tax is calculated, considering mortgages from a mathematical standpoint, to even definitions and how they translate to numerical terms. The author even goes so far as to include important numerical figures such as the Federal Expenditures pie chart or history behind Gallup polls, which may help to illustrate or embody his teachings. To some end, a reader may be objectively imparted with new insights that they may utilize to succeed in life from a basis of "being good at math." In these areas is where this book excels, and in my opinion, should receive very high marks.
It's always easier to focus on the negatives than the positives, so I tried to lay out the positives fairly and where they are due. Unfortunately, while I agree with the majority of the book's purely math based teachings and implications thereof, the author poses and describes bigger questions and occasionally opinions in response to those questions while offering little to no mathematical support to his opinions.
Again, the title of the book implies "Math for Life," and while I do understand math for life may be best understood through near real world examples, the author occasionally integrates concepts and questions that have no place in a book on math. As one example, in explaining how the United States tax system operates, the author brings the question as to if the system is “fair” and even goes on to write a sub chapter titled “How Should We Change Our Tax System.”
While these are sincere questions and opinions, unfortunately the author fails to mathematically answer the question of fairness and elects to opinionate how our tax system should be changed, where under the title of the book and capabilities of mathematics, he should have substantially addressed these questions from an arithmetic standpoint.
This is just one example, and quite a few others of the same nature can be seen throughout the book, as well as some grossly politically driven undertones that truly have little to no educational value in a book on math. I’ll elect to not point them out and allow a reader to discover them on their own. I would also like to reiterate that yes, these are *grossly* politically driven undertones not because of the author’s obvious bias towards certain positions over others, but because they are integrated into a book about teaching a subject where politics can completely be foregone.
All in all, this book may help you learn and understand math from a standpoint of going from “being bad at math” to “being understanding, tolerant and able to interpret math.” Indeed, the book may allow you to learn math, for life. But, as a reader, be observant of where math is not applied and do not let the author’s unsupported opinions, occasional off-topic ramblings and full blown non-mathematical jargon detract from the ability to learn and use math for your own analysis and benefit in life should you decide to read.
Of course, if the book were just about the language of math, then the book would be rather dry, as sometimes math is. There is no doubting that. The author surely (in some areas) does a great job in explaining the implications of math, such as gambling and casinos, the ways by which tax is calculated, considering mortgages from a mathematical standpoint, to even definitions and how they translate to numerical terms. The author even goes so far as to include important numerical figures such as the Federal Expenditures pie chart or history behind Gallup polls, which may help to illustrate or embody his teachings. To some end, a reader may be objectively imparted with new insights that they may utilize to succeed in life from a basis of "being good at math." In these areas is where this book excels, and in my opinion, should receive very high marks.
It's always easier to focus on the negatives than the positives, so I tried to lay out the positives fairly and where they are due. Unfortunately, while I agree with the majority of the book's purely math based teachings and implications thereof, the author poses and describes bigger questions and occasionally opinions in response to those questions while offering little to no mathematical support to his opinions.
Again, the title of the book implies "Math for Life," and while I do understand math for life may be best understood through near real world examples, the author occasionally integrates concepts and questions that have no place in a book on math. As one example, in explaining how the United States tax system operates, the author brings the question as to if the system is “fair” and even goes on to write a sub chapter titled “How Should We Change Our Tax System.”
While these are sincere questions and opinions, unfortunately the author fails to mathematically answer the question of fairness and elects to opinionate how our tax system should be changed, where under the title of the book and capabilities of mathematics, he should have substantially addressed these questions from an arithmetic standpoint.
This is just one example, and quite a few others of the same nature can be seen throughout the book, as well as some grossly politically driven undertones that truly have little to no educational value in a book on math. I’ll elect to not point them out and allow a reader to discover them on their own. I would also like to reiterate that yes, these are *grossly* politically driven undertones not because of the author’s obvious bias towards certain positions over others, but because they are integrated into a book about teaching a subject where politics can completely be foregone.
All in all, this book may help you learn and understand math from a standpoint of going from “being bad at math” to “being understanding, tolerant and able to interpret math.” Indeed, the book may allow you to learn math, for life. But, as a reader, be observant of where math is not applied and do not let the author’s unsupported opinions, occasional off-topic ramblings and full blown non-mathematical jargon detract from the ability to learn and use math for your own analysis and benefit in life should you decide to read.
November 7, 2018
This is a very good book on how one can use mathematics to better understand many of the issues we all face. It often has a very remedial 'feel' to it, but that is an essential part of the book's purpose; it is written for people who struggle with applying mathematical reasoning to problems. Overall, this target audience does not include me, but nonetheless, I found the material to be instructive and enlightening.
January 3, 2019
It was full of great information, I just didn't enjoy the way it was presented. It reminded me of homework...reading it because I thought it was good for me rather than because I found the subject fascinating. Definitely covers lots of important topics and concepts that I can pass on to my kids, so not bad at all.
February 14, 2018
interesting book, stimulate (quantitative) critical thinking, and gives an update of current world issues how the possible models in place to tackle them
June 2, 2017
Seven stars. Ever wondered when in your life will you have the opportunity to use those mind-numbing mathematical concepts you learn back in your math class? Well, erm, you can't use that in this book. Alas! There is no scrupulous math here. This book is all about the magic behind quantitative thinking and using classroom math in real life! This is a non-fiction book that I would not regret to read. It helped me understand basic concepts that were not taught in school but is critical in daily living. Bennett discussed different topics on taxes, investments, energy problems, national debt, statistics in news, mortgages, and finances. But the most important lesson to be learned is that no one should be proud of not being good in mathematics. All in all, it is an interesting read.
February 28, 2014
Do you consider yourself "bad" at math? Did you do well in math while in school? Well, it does not matter what answer you give to those questions as Jeffrey Bennett demonstrates in Math for Life. You are using math in your daily life whether you realize it or not, although it is generally not algebraic equations. Dividing a pie evenly, cutting a pizza to fit the number of folks around the table, baking with its use of proportions, etc. all these tasks have you using math unconsciously.
What Jeffrey Bennett does is have you think about math outside the classroom. The best chapters are the early ones ("Thinking with Numbers" and "Statistical Thinking") which concentrate on your interaction with numbers in the real world (not the artificial world of the classroom). Later chapters focus on money, taxes, deficit spending in the USA, energy, politics and growth. These later chapters get more esoteric in their focus and reveal authorial bias (conscious and unconscious) in regard to the premise of the question asked or the answers he suggests as correct.
Overall, despite issues with regarding authorial leanings and suggestions in various chapters, Jeffery Bennett does provide sound advice in regard to the importance of math in everyday life and gives generally sound advice on how to improve. Just remember to ignore advice with which you disagree.
What Jeffrey Bennett does is have you think about math outside the classroom. The best chapters are the early ones ("Thinking with Numbers" and "Statistical Thinking") which concentrate on your interaction with numbers in the real world (not the artificial world of the classroom). Later chapters focus on money, taxes, deficit spending in the USA, energy, politics and growth. These later chapters get more esoteric in their focus and reveal authorial bias (conscious and unconscious) in regard to the premise of the question asked or the answers he suggests as correct.
Overall, despite issues with regarding authorial leanings and suggestions in various chapters, Jeffery Bennett does provide sound advice in regard to the importance of math in everyday life and gives generally sound advice on how to improve. Just remember to ignore advice with which you disagree.
February 10, 2015
Amazing book. I was rather unaware (not to say skeptical) of the role of maths in my life, and I am an engineer. I almost hated math, and considered it useless, something to be avoided even in my line of work. It was not until my master's degree when I knew math was in everything, and I became a believer of my new idol called math. This book further introduces me into the world of math, all that I must have known. All that I wish my teachers taught me. A book every teacher should know, a new view on mathematics that are actually concrete and useful, not some random abstractions never tied to something useful at all (yes, yes, now I know maths are used in almost everything, but back then, why would I care about a matrix per vector operation?). It must be read by everyone.
March 17, 2016
Bennett here seeks to make mathematics relevant. He has good examples such as election vote counting, political districting, energy and population exponential models, tax laws, and more. Books like this often lead in with extreme numbers: atoms in the universe, atoms in a dot, etc. This book does the same and I think such intuition challenging magnitudes are cheap parlor tricks. The rest of the book is well-done arguments toward applying basic mathematical literacy, which I agree with the author needs a focus in public schools, to real-world problems. These contextual approaches are explained in this self-contained work requiring mathematics no more complex than taught in typical high school courses.
April 2, 2014
I chose this book to read because I am not good at math or a math lover, and this book sounded like it might be helpful and interesting. I agree with the author that math needs to be taught differently in the USA and that children need to memorize basic facts including their multiplication tables. I currently substitute teach and yesterday had a 6th grade student tell me that she needed a calculator because it is not possible to divide 21 by 2. So sad. I think that the information in this book is useful and the book is well-written, but I did not find it very interesting. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.
July 9, 2016
This is really an awesome book and I must say that everyone must read it in life, No matters you love or hate maths because there is nothing like dreadful formulas which you might have hated in life. Rather it tells about the basic math everyone must know. This has changed the definition of "Basic math", which always meant (and always existed in this creation) math in daily life dealing with money, credit card, finance, numbers, fraction, bonds, stocks, govt way of working, govt deficit, Energy sources, population growth as a matter of life and death and much more to ignite the fire to learn more.
Happy reading!!!
Happy reading!!!
September 3, 2012
More a pro-math manifesto than anything else. Bennett wants more people to appreciate how math can inform the major issues that people face everyday -- from thinking critically about statistics, to better understanding your personal finances, to knowing how both Democrats and Republicans use districting to their advantages, to realizing just how dire a situation we face with both the environment and the national debt (as well as the deficit). I appreciated his argument, certainly, but wish he had actually included more math.
March 25, 2012
This book is a gem. I don't care how math phobic you are, Jeffrey Bennett, who has a can do attitude that puts cheerleaders to shame, will make you feel comfortable and even smart as he walks you through some interesting and important examples of math in every day life. I hope this book ends up in some classrooms across the country - it would be a perfect addition for a life skills class!
July 12, 2019
I will be the first to say that I hated math when I was in school. but what surprised me the most was how much I enjoyed this book.
This book has elegantly blends explanation with opinion on topics that should interest everyone.
This book has elegantly blends explanation with opinion on topics that should interest everyone.
Want to read
January 23, 2013Skim over the introduction and dive right in to Thinking with Numbers where big numbers are explained in terms you may not have ever considered. Hope the whole book is this fascinating.
April 30, 2014
A thorough discussion on the subject and lots of very good and very practical ideas of the concept of bringing math into our everyday lives.
January 28, 2021
Book about using math to solve problems like energy,pollution, population, etc.
February 3, 2014
Everyone should read this book. Very enlightening with regards to mathematics in real life.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews