School maths is not the interesting part. The real fun is elsewhere. Like a magpie, Ian Stewart has collected the most enlightening, entertaining and vexing 'curiosities' of maths over the years...Now, the private collection is displayed in his cabinet. There are some hidden gems of logic, geometry and probability - like how to extract a cherry from a cocktail glass (harder than you think), a pop up dodecahedron, the real reason why you can't divide anything by zero and some tips for making money by proving the obvious. Scattered among these are keys to unlocking the mysteries of Fermat's last theorem, the Poincaré Conjecture, chaos theory, and the P/NP problem for which a million dollar prize is on offer. There are beguiling secrets about familiar names like Pythagoras or prime numbers, as well as anecdotes about great mathematicians. Pull out the drawers of the Professor's cabinet and who knows what could happen...
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'Stewart has served up the instructive equivalent of a Michelin-starred tasting menu, or perhaps a smorgasbord of appetisers. And of course, appetisers are designed to give you an appetite for more.' Tim Radford, Guardian
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
A book of mathematical oddities: games, puzzles, facts, numbers and delightful mathematical nibbles for the curious and adventurous mind.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
75 of 78 people found the following review helpful
By Roger Mellie
Format:Hardcover
a well written and witty look at hundreds of mathematical puzzles, stories and jokes. I am a maths teacher and there is so much material here, it's amazing. I have already used a few of these with my classes and the puzzles have really caught their imagination. Highly recommended
although the solution to the problem on page 143 is wrong
although the solution to the problem on page 143 is wrong
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Andy Gibson
Format:Hardcover
I picked this up to leaf through it the day it arrived, whilst already halfway through another book, AND I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!
Packed full of puzzles, and funny quirks of number patterns, this book is for readers of all abilities who have an interest in numerical gymnastics.
The other main component of the book is the history of mathematical research and development, in which Stewart gives an insight into the discovery of numerous maths theories and laws. And whilst this is -- at times -- heavy going, it's delivered in bite-size sections, interspersed throughout the book, which itself is given in tiny portions, allowing the reader to pick up and read at any time.
Brilliantly collected puzzles and stories with easy-to-understand solutions and explanations, Stewart's jovial delivery makes this book an unalloyed pleasure. 10/10!
Andy Gibson, 35, Fleet, Hampshire.
Packed full of puzzles, and funny quirks of number patterns, this book is for readers of all abilities who have an interest in numerical gymnastics.
The other main component of the book is the history of mathematical research and development, in which Stewart gives an insight into the discovery of numerous maths theories and laws. And whilst this is -- at times -- heavy going, it's delivered in bite-size sections, interspersed throughout the book, which itself is given in tiny portions, allowing the reader to pick up and read at any time.
Brilliantly collected puzzles and stories with easy-to-understand solutions and explanations, Stewart's jovial delivery makes this book an unalloyed pleasure. 10/10!
Andy Gibson, 35, Fleet, Hampshire.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Bruce N
Format:Kindle Edition
So badly formatted for the Kindle its almost unreadable. Answers to problems are not linked so you have to guess the location. I just gave up it was so much hassle!
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting and fun
Really enjoyed reading through these curiousities and problems. This is a book I will dip into again over the years. Read more
Published 3 days ago by light
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't buy on Kindle
I concur with other comments on the Kindle version. I found I o be missing some diagrams and workings out and It could do with links to solutions.
Published 1 month ago by Mark Deacon
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great find
Having been afraid of maths since school and apart from having excellent mental arithmetic skills, had no interest in the topic. This book has changed this. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. R. Callard
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok
making people write long reviews on ggod they receive is in my opinion expecting a lot. surely just a simple word comment is enough??
Published 3 months ago by Ms. Julie A. Renyard
4.0 out of 5 stars
very enjoyable and well-pitched
I'm a (new) maths teacher, and found this book really enjoyable and interesting, both for me and for my pupils. Stewart has a great style - very accessible and friendly. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Jude the Obscure
1.0 out of 5 stars
DONT BUY THIS ON KINDLE
Wish I had read the full set of reviews before I bought this book on Kindle, as it is rubbish, as other people have commented. Read more
Published on 6 April 2011 by ChuckyH
5.0 out of 5 stars
Maths made interesting!
This book ought to be required reading for all pupils learning mathematics - it shows how maths is a really interesting subject if you go about it the right way. Read more
Published on 3 April 2011 by Mr. J. V. Munroe
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful little book
I have always had a fascination for science, and these mathematical curios piqued my interest. The book contains items that could be used in teaching, specifically to generate an... Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2011 by Mole
5.0 out of 5 stars
Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities
Daughter busy working Mum - loves puzzles and excellent at maths. Something she can dip into for some "me" time - being very much enjoyed
Published on 26 Dec 2010 by jama
4.0 out of 5 stars
What a clever little book
This is a lovely book to dip in and out of. Too much exposure at once may numb your brain, but each section, some short, some longer, will teach you something about maths and... Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2010 by J. Preston
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