Figuring the Joy of Numbers

by Shakuntala Devi

A collection of numerical and mathematical curiosities and tricks with numbers, by the world's fastest (according to the "Guinness Book of Records) human calculator. A mathematical prodigy since the age of three, the author travels the world giving exhibitions of her powers.

Genres: Mathematics, Science, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Krishna Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shankuntala Devi's love for the numbers was evident throughout the book. I too learned few tricks to multiply few special numbers quickly. Good and short book to read.

[Yashvardhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for children! I liked maths, but after reading this book, I fell in love with it. The beauty of numbers could not be explained in a better way. Shakuntala Devi, the genius she is, has poured out her love for numbers that begins to resonate with you. This book has been a great influence on me since my childhood and will continue to be. If mathematics could be taught the way it is written in this book, we would have a lot less children trembling just by hearing the name of maths.

[Aarohy Kapoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you love mathematics or just hate the subject to the core, you cannot ignore the importance of numbers in our daily lives. It is said that you often need a good book or a good teacher to fall in love with a subject and reading one of the books by late Shakuntala Devi can do the trick with Mathematics. I read this book as a kid and often refer to it as an adult too and give it 5 stars out of 5.

If you are looking for a book that will help you get quick at calculations, you can go for this book without thinking too much. The book is apt for children and early learners as they will be able to grasp the calculation tricks quickly. However, if you are a curious adult, you can still go for this book if you are willing to learn new tricks and do away with the traditional ways of calculations that you have learnt over the years.

The language is simple and with good examples, you will be able to understand how to add, subtract, multiply or divide large numbers quickly, easily and accurately. You can even get better at calculating squares and square roots and cubes and cube roots with this book.

If you are a patient reader and learner who will not lose hope, feel disheartened or get too anxious while learning something new in mathematics, you can go for this book. Also, if you want to give a try at increasing your interest in mathematics, you can try this book to get rid of your fear of numbers.

It worked as a helpful book for me and I give it 5 stars on the whole.

[Zach · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not find the book particularly engaging or interesting, despite my interest in math and related mental tricks. I noticed many errors in the book, despite how many decades the publishers have had to correct errors across many editions. I found most of the tricks to be too reliant on narrow conditions, such as two terms being a certain length, to be practically useful in a world where we all carry calculators in our pockets. The puzzles at the end of the book are interesting and good for a party trick or just some casual puzzling, but overall the book did not spark joy.

[Tim Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this book from primary school (its intended audience) and it seemed almost like magic back then. Divisibility tests, the power of compound interest, rotating decimals, etc. It all seems pretty tame now, of course.

[Kiran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tools and allegories for math can be found. There's some mechanics that can be discarded but are still interesting regardless.

[Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing

[KENT]

THIS WEB SITE STINKS...SO MUCH MAMBO JUMBO NO RESULT....

[Chhavi · Rating 5 out of 5]

the great book

[Apoorva HN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puzzles and tricks..

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devi is extremely well known in India and somewhat less so around the world as being the world's "fastest computer." This book is very accessible to the average reader and I think it should be shared more widely in math classes and with children who think they aren't good at math, because it makes it fun and interesting in a way that the average text book doesn't. I still use some of the memory shortcuts she uses in this book.

[Edmund Irons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joy.
Use it to do tricks with numbers, to develop your own tricks, to develop the mathematical 'connections' good mathematicians seem to have.
After reading this, I bought half a dozen or so inexpensive copies (from India). They make great presents for teenagers with an interest in, or wanting to improve, their maths.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think you'll never like, let alone have fun with math? Try this book.

[Dr. Rajnish Dubey · Rating 1 out of 5]

not good enough... not any new things are given ....... the things given are read in lower classes in a better way....

[Neetu Choudhary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amzing!!