Cool Maths: 50 fantastic facts for kids of all ages

by Tracie Young

Inside this mega-jam-packed book are fifty fact-tastic50 ways to advance your maths skills so you'll never be outnumbered by numbers again! From core curriculum techniques such as multiplying multiples to calculating calculus and probability and division, right through to working out tricky statistics, formulas and equations on outside of the classroom, Cool Maths will help you work your way out of every day situations in a way that you'll never forget. Future titles in this Cool History, Cool Astronomy, Cool Philosophy Word 20,000

Genres: Nonfiction, Mathematics

112 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2013

Reviews

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never been great at math. If it relates to shopping and discounts or cooking and baking then I do just fine. It’s the bigger concept math that I have a harder time with. Amazingly, all three of our children are excellent at math. It’s likely thanks to their father who is in the financial business.

I was intrigued by this little book full of math facts because I thought it might come in handy when I have to sub in a math class or even with our daughter who is schooling from home like the rest of the country right now.

My aunt and uncle are both retired math professors and I feel like I have heard them say the beginning quote before in our conversations.

The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple.

Stan Gudder, American mathematician
This is exactly what this book does for us non-math people. The book begins with a timeline of the history of math starting in 30,000 BC when the Palaeolithic people record numbers on bones. The timeline continues to 1514 when the “+” and “-” sign is first used. Finally, the timeline ends in 2003 when the Poincare conjecture relating to 3-D spaces is proven after first proposed in 1904.

The first fun math fact is one I first heard when subbing in the elementary level. This trick is helpful when multiplying by 9s. It is a way to learn your “9” math facts by putting down the finger you are multiplying by 9. So, if you are doing 9×4, you would bend the left index finger down and then the fingers you have left show….36. 9×4=36.

When my daughter read through the book, she liked the math fact that shared how to convert a temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit or Fahrenheit to Celsius. This example also shares facts about the hottest temperature ever recorded and the invention of the Fahrenheit scale.

Does your child have trouble with calculating angles of a triangle? There is a good example for that. I know with subbing in math, probability is a tough concept to teach to kids. There is a great lesson on probability in the book.

You can even find algebra, trigonometry, coding, and statistical examples to help explain how to solve equations. Remember your math teacher reminding you about the “order of operations”? Yes, there is good stuff in this book about that math fact too.

This is a handy little book and one I think will be staying in my subbing bag for those days when even I, as the teacher, need a refresher on a lesson. I like how it offers another way to explain the math fact with a little history behind it too. The illustrations are fun, the colors are bright, and everything is explained in a fun and understandable manner. Like, when you go to the doctor, and you want your diagnosis in layman’s terms? That’s how this book is. If I can understand the concepts explained in this book then anyone can!

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Math is not my forte. I get along with it when I need to or rather when I can't avoid it. It is a necessary part of life for everyone. Some are gifted. Some are knowledgeable. Some are fair at it. Some are like me - struggle.

This book takes the budding mathematician into the arena of what fun and cool things you can do with math. A small book that is packed with insight. Tricks to help make multiplication easy. The history of mathematics or use of equations, numerals, etc. is given in the front of the book showing how bit by bit the fantastic world of numbers grew in understanding and use.

The examples can be worked through to help better understand. The assorted cool math examples and problems is geared for grades 7-9 or ages 12-18 (adults can learn from this nifty book, too). And it is perfect for STEM and summer reading.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Elizabeth Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is geared toward kids, it is full of great math reminders for adults, too. This book goes over all the basic formulas, from finding areas and understanding pi, to learning Roman Numerals and understanding Fibonacci's sequence. While I knew most of the mathematics taught in this book, I was fascinated with reading about the...

Read my full review for this fun book here: https://agoodreid.blogspot.com/2020/0...

[Hymerka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Не кожному з нас дано стати великим математиком і лускати задачки, як горішки, але ця книжка покликана показати школярам не лише красу й елегантність математики, але й те, як практично у щоденному житті можна застосовувати такі, здавалося б, нудні правила. Дітям буде цікаво дізнатися, що в основі багатьох шифрів лежать математичні послідовності, як можна легко розв'язувати судоку чи як застосовувати золотий переріз, щоб зробити якнайкращі фотографії. Поміж тим у книжці є немало цікавих фактів про відомих математиків і класичні задачки, наприклад, для мене стало новиною, що такий звичний для нас знак рівності «=» було введено аж у XVI-ому столітті валлійцем Робертом Рекордом. «Крута математика» книжка не лише для читання, у ній є чимало цікавих завдань, тому до неї добре братися, озброївшись записником і ручкою, щоб відразу спробувати виконати запропоновані завдання.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool Math covers a wide range of topics, from double negatives to tip calculations to the probability of sharing a birthday with a friend. Each two-page spread covers a different topic. After a brief, bolded introduction to the topic, a question is posed. The rest of the page is covered by straightforward, easily comprehensible explanations and illustrations to support the information. Some of the content is useful in school, some is useful in real life, and some is just plain fun! I particularly enjoyed the sections on photography composition and on ciphers. Because this is designed for all ages, most of the content is far above T's level. However, there were sections that delighted him as well.

T's favorite parts are the different number tricks. He loves having us each play; he especially loves wowing his dad. T also enjoys the section on calculating the distance from a lightening strike based on when you hear thunder. He connected this to another book we have, Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll, illustrated by one of our favorite artists, Ed Emberley.

The subtitle of this book says it all "For kids of all Ages." There really is something fun in here for everyone.

Note: A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don’t think math is cool or fun then you really need to read this book. If you’ve had trouble with math in the past you really need to read this book. If you love all things math then you really need to read this book.

This book may look small but within these pages readers will find Great Moments in math, multiplication, trigonometry, probability, formulas and so much more. Readers will learn how to use math for everday uses and some cool tricks for using math. There are also some uses for math regarding recipes.

Math has helped man walk on the moon. It’s also how we process and analyze data. Parents and teachers can use this guide as a tool to enlighten kids who have a loathing for math and to enhance the learning of kids who love it.

[Vo Khon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sách chỉ ra nhiều mẹo trong tính toán kèm ứng dụng các công thức được học trong thời phổ thông từ phương trình, pythagoras, hệ phương trình, công sai, UCLN, cách nhân nhanh, cách tìm UCLN theo Euler nhanh hơn cách hồi đó học, chỉ cách tính nhẩm nhanh nữa.

[Aeicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book makes math fun! Through easily understood text and information, Tracie Young introduces readers to wide array of mathematical concepts, ideas, formulas, and more. Readers will not only have fun exploring this book, but will learn many tools to keep their math skills sharp!

[Two BookWorms Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

So if you really want to stop letting numbers scare you, this book is a great one to guide you on your way.

For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of cool "party tricks" a lot of kids will probably like.