Adam Spencer's Big Book of Numbers: Everything you wanted to know about the numbers 1 to 100

by Adam Spencer

How can a prime number by 'sexy' and 'safe' at the same time? Why shouldn't Aussie cricketers fear the number 87? And just how many bacteria live in your pants...

Find out the answers to all these questions and more in Adam Spencer's Big Book of Numbers. Whether you love numbers, want to love numbers, or just love to laugh and learn about the wonderful world in which we live, this book is for you.

For 15 years Adam Spencer has been entertaining us. On triple j and ABC radio and television, he’s established himself as Australia’s funniest and most famous mathematician. And now, by popular demand, we have his Big Book of Numbers, a fascinating journey from 1 to 100.

Praise for Adam Spencer’s Big Book of Numbers

‘If you find this book boring, you should be in a clinic.’ John Cleese

‘Funny yet with hidden depths, like its author. A brilliant introduction to the world of numbers.’ Brian Cox

‘Even the page numbers will start to look fascinating once you’ve read this book!’ Amanda Keller

‘This book will bring out the inner geek in anyone who knows how to count to 100.’ Brian Schmidt, Winner, 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Mathematics

422 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

My uncle gave me this book for Christmas last year, and it's taken me until now to pluck up the courage to read it. Really, it would have been a much better gift for my younger brother, the structural engineer, because the archaeologist/museum curator/librarian of the family unsurprisingly doesn't like maths.

I know. Shocking behaviour. But there you have it.

I dropped maths at the end of year 11 and have never regretted it, even for a second. So understandably, this book of maths facts about the numbers 1-100 was more than a little outside my comfort zone. At the end of it? I still don't like maths. I didn't do any of the quiz questions. I skim read chunks of it because I just wasn't interested. I struggled through basically every chapter.

But. There were odd little factoids on each page that made me go "Huh". And Adam's enthusiasm for his subject matter is obvious throughout. So while I didn't PERSONALLY enjoy this book, if you're a fan of maths you'll probably enjoy this one.

[TheMadHatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Adam Spencer (in a purely platonic way of course....in case my husband reads this) and I lovvvvve Maths so when I saw this I just knew I had to read it.

Adam Spencer gets that maths is exciting and fun and sometimes absurd. He conveys the passion he has for numbers in this book beautifully. This book is really well written.

Unfortunately, it was a really superficial read for me. I wanted more so started skim reading towards the end and feeling slightly disappointed. I knew all the maths concepts and I wanted something meatier (but sick of picking up dry textbooks). I know I am probably not the target audience for this book as there was nothing really new in it, but I am still glad I read it for Adam Spencer's amusing take on the world of numbers.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though letters make more sense in my head than numbers, I still find them interesting and fun. I love finding quirky ways and approaches to learn, makes it exciting and sometimes easier to understand.
Will definitely be looking up more of Adam Spencer’s work.

[Jeff Macpherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if you love maths!

[Edgarr Alien Pooh · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love maths this is the book for you. On the other hand if you are just really interested in quirky fact you will probably love this book too. I enjoyed the read although at times I found it a little pointless. It is neither pure maths nor is it only trivial facts but a mix of both. At times Spencer can blow your mind with the depths of his knowledge and/or research. The history of numbers, the science of numbers, the terms given to different types of numbers - so many more than just odd, even and prime. I can recommend this as a good read if you are even slightly interested - you will get a lot out of the book. Just be prepared to concentrate at times and maybe re-read certain pages.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting, and somewhat perplexing, if you ever wanted to have a fact about the number 56, such as "56 is the atomic number of Barium" and also the periodic element used in the "Ba" of Breaking Bad, for example, this book is for you!

[Bill Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not technically finished. Still dipping in and out. Might be still "reading" it for years.

[Thomas Gourlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid, enjoyable read. Helped me discover my love for mathematics as a child.

[bronberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

My idea of a fun time in my teens was reading about the mathematics of music, so it's probably not surprising that I really enjoyed Adam's book. I'm not even remotely good at maths and I still enjoyed doing (some) of the exercises in the book. I read every page front-to-back over breakfast each morning. I think it would be better read as a coffee table book - something you pick up, dedicate time to doing the exercises for 1 or 2 numbers, then coming back in a few days.

Super fun facts spread throughout the book! Like, the video of the world record paper plane flight is just awesome. Also magic squares are super cool. I would have loved to know more about the practical applications of knowing Euler's formula for calculating the numbers of vertices, faces, and edges!

All in all, Adam's passion for numbers shines through and I now know more about numbers and cool random stuff than I did before!

[Marianne Hawthorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! took me a while to get through as it wasn't for me the type of book you read in bed just before sleep, which is when i do most of my reading...but thoroughly enjoyed it. made me want to get back into maths!

my only criticisms is that i wanted to understand the applications of some of these types of numbers. eg, how relevant are 'perfect' or 'lucky' or 'prime' numbers in the real world? I'm sure they are and it would have given another level of depth to the book to understand how (in laymans terms if possible ha)

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a highly entertaining and informative book about numbers, maths and all the cool stuff connected to that. Mum got me this book for Christmas because I really love mathematics and solving challenging problems, especially since I did an advanced problem solving challenge course last year that I really enjoyed. Highly recommended book for all, regardless of whether you like maths, hate it or want to just learn something new.

[Mender · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't make it through this one but I'm not going to. It is a collection of maths facts. They are interesting but looked at so skimmingly it's like being at a party where someone throws trivia facts at you all night without engaging in conversation.

Maybe it's just not my style. I like the author as a presenter so I'm willing to try more of his stuff if it comes up.

[Shane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok - so I love Adam Spencer & I don't mind a bit of maths...but it turns out this book was one step too far into the nerdiverse for me. Some of the facts were fascinating (which is why I read it in the first place) but too often after reading a tidbit I found myself thinking "so?".
Mildly interesting, rather than amazingly entertaining for me. My son, however, loved it - the big nerd! :) :)

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight up - with a hefty dose of numerical dyslexia, did NOT think this book was going to be for me. Yet I loved it - found it fascinating & accessible. My maths teacher Dad & accountant sister both raved about it too. So it seems to be a great read from both ends of the maths-savvy spectrum!

[Déwi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. It's the kind of book you can open at random pages and there's something to talk about. Lots of interesting facts and it's funny. Adam Spencer makes numbers so appealing. Even my two teens have been enjoying the book.

[Catherine McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if your interest in Maths is only slight, you will get plenty from this book. I continually found myself going 'What!' 'Are you serious?' 'That's amazing!' Well written with some comedy throughout everyone will come away with at least one new fact.

[Chel]

Given to husband for Christmas 2014

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

[Magpie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe 2015