A vibrant exploration of the world's most famous and key mathematical ideas, movements, and peopleWhat is an imaginary number? Can two parallel lines ever meet? How can maths help us predict the future?Charting the development of maths around the world from Babylon to Bletchley Park, this book explores big questions like these and explains how the answers help us understand everything from patterns in nature to artificial intelligence.Written in clear English, The Maths Book is packed with short, pithy explanations that cut through the jargon, step-by-step diagrams that untangle knotty theories, memorable quotes, and witty illustrations that play with our ideas about numbers.This diverse and inclusive account of mathematics offers insights into the maths behind world economies and espionage. But it also traces the history of maths, from ancient ideas such as magic squares and the abacus to modern cryptography, fractals, and the final proof of Fermat's Last Theorem. Continuing the "Big Ideas" series' trademark combination of authoritative, clear text and bold graphics, The Maths Book uses an innovative visual approach to make the subject accessible to everyone, whether you're an avid student or just curious about maths.
Matt Parker (Foreword By)Originally a maths teacher from Australia, Matt Parker is now a stand-up comedian and a YouTuber with over one hundred million views. He is the author of the #1 bestseller Humble Pi and Things to Make and Do in the FourthDimension. Matt is also frequently seen, heard, and read on the Discovery Channel, on BBC radio, and in The Guardian, in that order. He has previously held world records for both the Rubik's Cube and Space Invaders. In the pursuit of maths, Matt has- flipped a coin 10,000 times, travelled to Antarctica, memorized p to hundreds of digits, and been bitten by a bullet ant in the Amazon rainforest. Matt has given maths lectures at Cambridge University, Oxford University, Harvard University and Lake Monger Primary School.
Discover the important mathematical ideas, theorems, and proofs ever devised, and the great minds behind them.
A vibrant exploration of the world's most famous and key mathematical ideas, movements, and people