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.
How Many Socks Make a Pair?: Surprisingly Interesting Maths
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||
 Trade In this Item for up to £0.45
Trade in How Many Socks Make a Pair?: Surprisingly Interesting Maths for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £0.45, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Card, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more
|
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
A witty book that provokes the imagination --The Times, August 2008
Fascinating and totally accessible --Ham & High, August 2008
Exudes a friendly charm which is hard to resist --London Maths Society, September 2008
For a non-mathematician, this book is crucial
--Plus Magazine, September 2008 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Fascinating and totally accessible --Ham & High, August 2008
Exudes a friendly charm which is hard to resist --London Maths Society, September 2008
For a non-mathematician, this book is crucial
--Plus Magazine, September 2008 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Dean Swift
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.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By J. May
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
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. But it is also a great read (er, make that activity - you should actually try all the great 'exercises' that Mr Eastaway includes) for anyone who did enjoy school maths.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A treat to read for oneself and a wonderful gift for family or friends.
4 Oct 2008
By Philip Mayo
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
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 train and heads directly towards the 2nd train. When it reaches the front window of the 2nd train it turns (instantaneously) and heads back towards the 1st train, always maintaining its speed of 60mph. When it reaches the front window of the 1st train it turns again and heads back to the 2nd train. It keeps flying between the trains in this manner until the trains meet and the fly is killed. The question is: what total distance does the fly travel before the trains meet?
A mother is 21 years older than her son. In 6 years time she will be 5 times the age of her son. The question is: Where is the father?
Such are the some of the delightful problems or puzzles that the author sets us and then proceeds to show us how to answer in surprisingly easy ways, using everyday maths. So don't be put off by the idea that maths is dull, boring or not something that we can all use and enjoy. After all, everyone does use maths in some form every day in lots of ways.
By the time you are finished this highly engaging book you will be able to square (in your head!) any number between 1 and 100. For instance, 37 x 37 = 1369 and so on. I have already impressed my long suffering family with that one.
He also shows us some card tricks and how to win at Penney Ante 88% of the time - definitely worth a congratulatory round of drinks down at the pub. And there are some chapters on some of the more striking properties of triangles, rectangles etc, and some thoughts on the inherent consistency and beauty of numbers.... Read more ›
A mother is 21 years older than her son. In 6 years time she will be 5 times the age of her son. The question is: Where is the father?
Such are the some of the delightful problems or puzzles that the author sets us and then proceeds to show us how to answer in surprisingly easy ways, using everyday maths. So don't be put off by the idea that maths is dull, boring or not something that we can all use and enjoy. After all, everyone does use maths in some form every day in lots of ways.
By the time you are finished this highly engaging book you will be able to square (in your head!) any number between 1 and 100. For instance, 37 x 37 = 1369 and so on. I have already impressed my long suffering family with that one.
He also shows us some card tricks and how to win at Penney Ante 88% of the time - definitely worth a congratulatory round of drinks down at the pub. And there are some chapters on some of the more striking properties of triangles, rectangles etc, and some thoughts on the inherent consistency and beauty of numbers.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Stumps
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Brilliant for the layman whose school education never revealed that Maths was all about delightful pictures and connecting patterns in Nature.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By BookBoy
Format:Hardcover
Broad range of topics covered. Each topic is covered in enough depth and always with clear explanations and good use of English.
By Stephen Bush
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Just as the title says - Surprisingly interesting and useful! Recommended for those who teach Primary school maths. Will be using it for some of my investigative work.
By ronwooduk
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's packed full of interesting ideas and information. If you think you don't like maths then try reading this book, it might just convert you.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see the review
5.0 out of 5 stars
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
Very good book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Learned a few things from it. Even taught my son some little tricks and he is now showing off at school.
Published 2 months ago by Jenny Quan
5.0 out of 5 stars
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
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
