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Product Description
Product Description
How many socks make a pair? The answer is not always two. And behind this question lies a world of maths that can be surprising, amusing and even beautiful. Using playing cards, a newspaper, the back of an envelope, a Sudoku, some pennies and of course a pair of socks, Rob Eastaway shows how maths can demonstrate its secret beauties in even the most mundane of everyday objects. If you already like maths you’ll discover plenty of new surprises. And if you’ve never picked up a maths book in your life, this one will change your view of the subject forever.
About the Author
Rob Eastaway is one of the UK’s leading popularisers of maths. His books include the bestselling Why Do Buses Come in Threes? and Maths for Mums and Dads. He has written numerous newspaper and magazine articles, regularly appears on radio to talk about the maths of everyday life, and has given maths talks to audiences of all ages, at venues ranging from The Royal Institution to Pentonville Prison.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
There are a few everyday maths books out there nowadays, but not many are the equal of Eastaway's clever, curious, witty tour of the way it crops up just about everywhere. If you've read his others, there'll be nothing surprising about how interesting this one is (so, wrong subtitle, but you know what he means), or how accessible (it's beautifully clear), but you might be amused by the examples - I'll try to resist the temptation to give any away. And he smuggles in some serious ideas along the way, though you don't really feel the strain. Brilliant too, for those kids who either are, or aren't disposed to see much fun in maths. Those who do will consume it. Those who don't might be tempted to give it another chance after reading this. I'd been meaning to buy it since I heard him on the Today programme months ago. Should have done sooner.
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I couldn't put this book down! Being a bit of a maths-phobic it took me by surprise, but once I'd started to read about the fascinating world of everyday maths I was hooked.
Forget algebra and algorithms, not to mention quadratic equations, here is maths explained in terms of missing socks, card tricks, birthdays, games involving cutting up envelopes, flipping a coin, sudoku puzzles and much, much more. I now know what a palindrome is, and am starting to see a whole new (potentially beautiful - no exaggeration) side to maths. If only I'd understood these things while at school, it would have brought a whole new dimension to those dreaded maths lessons! There's plenty to engage everyone here, from the maths-phobic to the maths mad. Rob Eastaway may just have succeeded in making maths more popular and understandable to anyone who reads his book. A great book. Very readable.
Forget algebra and algorithms, not to mention quadratic equations, here is maths explained in terms of missing socks, card tricks, birthdays, games involving cutting up envelopes, flipping a coin, sudoku puzzles and much, much more. I now know what a palindrome is, and am starting to see a whole new (potentially beautiful - no exaggeration) side to maths. If only I'd understood these things while at school, it would have brought a whole new dimension to those dreaded maths lessons! There's plenty to engage everyone here, from the maths-phobic to the maths mad. Rob Eastaway may just have succeeded in making maths more popular and understandable to anyone who reads his book. A great book. Very readable.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this primarily for my grand daughter aged 13 who shows an interest in maths but found it very interesting reading myself.
I have not been through the whole book yet as it is the sort of book that you can put down and return to time and time again. It is very readable and Rob Eastway comes up with many facts that you could bore people with for hours, many of which are quite counter-intuitive. In fact you would not even know that you are learning about maths.
It is not at all dull and this is the point that the author makes very well.
I am looking forward to going through the book with my grand daughter on her next visit.
If you want a non-technical and interesting book about maths and probability I can thoroughly recommend this.
I have not been through the whole book yet as it is the sort of book that you can put down and return to time and time again. It is very readable and Rob Eastway comes up with many facts that you could bore people with for hours, many of which are quite counter-intuitive. In fact you would not even know that you are learning about maths.
It is not at all dull and this is the point that the author makes very well.
I am looking forward to going through the book with my grand daughter on her next visit.
If you want a non-technical and interesting book about maths and probability I can thoroughly recommend this.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Another Delicious Collection of Curisoties from my Mate Rob
Probably aimed at older children and adults, this is another collection of delightful puzzles, surprises and clever ways of thinking about things. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2009 by Andy
A Good Book
Broad range of topics covered. Each topic is covered in enough depth and always with clear explanations and good use of English.
Published on 14 May 2009 by BookBoy
Has something for everyone
This great little book does just what it says - makes maths fun for anyone who never 'got' maths at school and hoped never to see anything on the subject ever again. Read more
Published on 4 May 2009 by Martin Turner
A treat to read for oneself and a wonderful gift for family or...
Two trains are approaching each other on the same track, both traveling at 50 mph. When they are exactly 100 miles apart, a fly, traveling at 60 mph, leaves the front window of one... Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2008 by Philip Mayo
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