Math in 100 Numbers: A Numerical Guide to Facts, Formulas, and Theories

by Colin Stuart

We live in a world defined by mathematics. From everyday activities such as trade and travel, to the formulas that underpin the universe, everything around us is defined by numbers. But not all numbers were created some are more important than others. Math in 100 Numbers makes light work of the most interesting ones—the numbers that define the odds, sort into sequences, and rationalize ratios. Written in a way that is uniquely easy to grasp and presented in numerical order, this book provides a potted history of mathematics and uncovers a wealth of fascinating facts, from the fun (solving a Rubik’s cube) and the familiar (degrees in a circle), to the bizarre (the lowest “vampire” number), and the mind-bending (the googol). Whether you read from zero to infinity or dip in and out at random, you will soon discover how amazing math is.

Genres: Mathematics

176 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Colin Stuart is a renowned astronomy speaker and best-selling author. He was a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a 2014 runner-up for the European Astronomy Journalism Prize. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Charles Lupo · Rating 3 out of 5]

1-2 page blurb on 100 different math topics, some common, some obscure. Quick read. Learned that numbers can be happy, sad, or even social.

[Joseeey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but I wish the dates weren’t added because they had no mathematical significance.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great idea poorly executed. There are some really interesting numbers but the explanations are often unclear. Also dates are not numbers and shouldn't be used.