How the World Works: Mathematics: From creating the pyramids to exploring infinity

by Anne Rooney

From philosophy, psychology and religion to biology, medicine, physics and
mathematics, our How the World Works series presents fundamental areas
of knowledge in the most stimulating, clear and accessible way, with brief
biographies of the key figures involved and wonderful full-colour illustrations.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2017

About the author

Anne Rooney gained a degree and then a PhD in medieval literature from Trinity College, Cambridge. After a period of teaching medieval English and French literature at the universities of Cambridge and York, she left to pursue a career as a freelance writer. She has written many books for adults and children on a variety of subjects, including literature and history. She lives in Cambridge and is Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Essex.

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reluctant to admit that this is a math book that I did not particularly enjoy. I mean, I am the sort of person who did math courses on Khan Academy just for fun. While there were some amusing anecdotes about math, I had a hard time feeling engaged. The problem for me was that it felt like this book was primarily about mathematicians rather than about mathematics. I will round my rating up to 3 stars just for the Graham number anecdote.

[Muhammad Salim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super volume, outlining the history and several salient aspects of maths. Here one gets to know how humanity embraced mathematics, who were the key figures developing maths, what the principal concepts are, what puzzles mathematicians. A useful book in every way, with instructive ideas and leads. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in maths.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of mathematical topics. I especially enjoyed the antiquities chapters!

[Robert Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great documentary on history of math.
Very well explained.
Every math needs book!

[Mark Birmingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good for what it is.