Mammoth Math: Everything You Need to Know About Numbers

Eyewitness Map & Guide

by David Macaulay, D.K. Publishing

Introducing an off-beat guide to math from award-winning author and illustrator David Macaulay.

Math is all around you…if you look closely enough! From computer games to bridges, shopping malls to game shows, mathematics truly is everywhere. David Macauley’s terrific troupe of curious mammoths will lead you through the basics of math, including numbers, calculation, geometry, measurement and so much more in this highly original guide to math for kids aged 8+. 

In Mammoth Math, not only will you learn the essential principles of math, you’ll enjoy learning about them too! From start to finish, the mammoths are your guide as they seek to understand the math! 
These intrepid demonstrators will go to incredible lengths to educate and entertain, as they wrestle with adding or subtracting numbers, measuring angles, creating a pie chart, solving equations, and much more.
Observing and recording the mammoths’ behavior is best-selling illustrator David Macaulay. Renowned for his ability to explain complex ideas with simple genius, Macaulay captures the oddball humor of his subject matter, making Mammoth Math the perfect introduction to math for young learners to love. 

Discover math as you’ve never known it before,

- Fun-filled illustrations show Macaulay’s mammoths exploring mathematical ideas demonstrating key mathematical principles in unusual and amusing ways.
-  An action-packed alternative to dry, unappealing math textbooks.
- Supporting panels contain diagrams and extra information to aid understanding.
- The book is divided into chapters, each focusing on a different branch of math

The ideal math book for all children aged 8+ as well as for reluctant math learners who don’t think math is for them, Mammoth Math includes a highly original and unique approach to the subject, with over 60 topics covered in total, including numbers geometry, measurement and operations. Encompassing all-new illustrations featuring Macaulay’s trademark mammoths, familiar to readers of The Way Things Work - a best-selling book of David Macaulay’s, which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide!

Join the math journey today! Solving the problem is only one mammoth ride away!

Genres: Nonfiction, Mathematics, Childrens, Education, Stem

160 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

David Macaulay, born in 1946, was eleven when his parents moved from England to Bloomfield, New Jersey. He found himself having to adjust from an idyllic English childhood to life in a fast paced American city. During this time he began to draw seriously, and after graduating from high school he enrolled in the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). After spending his fifth year at RISD in Rome on the European Honors Program, he received a bachelor’s degree in architecture and vowed never to practice. After working as an interior designer, a junior high school teacher, and a teacher at RISD, Macaulay began to experiment with creating books. He published his first book, Cathedral, in 1973. Following in this tradition, Macaulay created other books—including City, Castle, Pyramid, Mill, Underground, Unbuilding, and Mosque—that have provided the explanations of the how and the why in a way that is both accessible and entertaining. From the pyramids of Egypt to the skyscrapers of New York City, the human race’s great architectural and engineering accomplishments have been demystified through Macaulay's elaborate show-and-tells. Five of these titles have been made into popular PBS television programs.

Reviews

[Víctor Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buena introducción para niños

[Kristian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My eight year old son and I read this together as his bedtime story over the course of a month or so. It was his choice; yes, he is a kid that would choose to read about division before bed, and be over the moon about it. But- the book was engaging and fun, so who would want to read about division (and much, much more) being fun?

The book ties all the math concepts together by using Mammoths and other prehistory creatures to explain the mathmatical concepts. Some of these are a bit more successful than others. Still, on the whole, the author does a good job explaining complex concepts in very simple and engaging ways.


And if you are missing mammoths after reading this? At least one of his other books also contains mammoths, so don't dispare. :D

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly entertaining and engaging way to learn about math, this book uses mammoths and elephant shrews to help demonstrate an array of mathematical concepts. Want to understand proportions and scaling, 2D and 3D objects, or how to reduce fractions? Read on as the creatures of this book, both big and small, create their own scaled statues, divide pies for a party, and more. This unique take on learning presents often challenging topics in a more visual manner that inspires kids and adults alike to keep turning pages and discover the joy of mathematics.

[Cheryl]

August 2022, skimmed for Children's Book group theme "appeals to inner child."

I think that if I were in elementary school I would like this a lot. It is special in that most math books are for even younger audiences, but still it's too easy for me (I am looking for something at a high school level to help me appreciate certain adult non-fiction).

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm delighted to see that David Macaulay has been making more books - those mammoths (now accompanied by elephant shrews) are always fun to have around.
Humour and lively illustrations add lots of visual interest to a booked packed full of information - it covers the full range of fundamental maths concepts up to about Year 7 level (including ratios, area, algebra and many more).

[Allison Turkish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was impressed enough with this book to buy it. I think my kids will really enjoy reading about numbers, shapes, and geometry. This book has engaging illustrations and clearly explains all sorts of math topics. Go for it, y'all! Math books don't have to be boring and when you introduce kids to math early, it can be fun!

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elementary classroom teacher me ADORES this! And it would be SO useful.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to see math concepts in a logical way.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too allover the place.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subtitle just about says it all. Succinct summary of math texts.
Ah, and the mammoths have help from elephant shrews. Someone has to tend to the small stuff.