Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension: A Mathematician’s Journey Through Narcissistic Numbers, Optimal Dating Algorithms, at Least Two Kinds of Infinity, and More by Matt Parker (PDF)

Description

A revolutionary book from the stand-up mathematician that makes math fun again―now in paperback!Math is boring, says the mathematician and comedian Matt Parker. Part of the problem may be the way the subject is taught, but it’s also true that we all, to a greater or lesser extent, find math difficult and counterintuitive. This counterintuitiveness is actually part of the point, argues Parker: the extraordinary thing about math is that it allows us to access logic and ideas beyond what our brains can instinctively do―through its logical tools we are able to reach beyond our innate abilities and grasp more and more abstract concepts. In the absorbing and exhilarating Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension, Parker sets out to convince his readers to revisit the very math that put them off the subject as fourteen-year-olds. Starting with the foundations of math familiar from school (numbers, geometry, and algebra), he takes us on a grand tour, from four dimensional shapes, knot theory, the mysteries of prime numbers, optimization algorithms, and the math behind barcodes and iPhone screens to the different kinds of infinity―and slightly beyond. Both playful and sophisticated, Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension is filled with captivating games and puzzles, a buffet of optional hands-on activities that entice us to take pleasure in mathematics at all levels. Parker invites us to relearn much of what baffled us in school and, this time, to be utterly enthralled by it.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review “Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension shows off math at its most playful and multifarious, ranging from classics like knot theory and ruler-and-compass constructions to more whimsical topics like the topology of beer logos and error-correcting scarves.” ―Jordan Ellenberg, author of How to Not Be Wrong“Matt Parker is some sort of unholy fusion of a prankster, wizard and brilliant nerd–maths is rarely this clever, funny and ever so slightly naughty.” ―Adam Rutherford, author of Creation“This is the best book on recreational mathematics since Martin Gardner’s My Best Mathematical and Logic Puzzles.” ―Library Journal About the Author Matt Parker is a stand-up comedian and mathematician. He writes about math for The Guardian, has a math column in The Telegraph, is a regular panelist on Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage, has appeared in and worked on Five Greatest on the Discovery Channel, and has performed his math stand-up routines in front of audiences of thousands.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I read this book after reading Matt Parker’s later book, Humble Pi. I also watch his YouTube videos on occasion.I found this book to be a great read, spanning topics from what numbers mean, through knots and higher dimensions, all the way to the infinities (yes, plural). Most of the chapters were interesting, and I enjoyed Parker’s humor and wit as well. There are also a few real world applications that I found fascinating.I found the parts I didn’t already have a background in (particularly knots) rather difficult, but I think that reading through those sections again a few more times might help with that.Parker makes a great point in “The Zeroth Chapter” about how those who enjoy mathematics are those who see it almost like a game, and I felt that that point resonated with me.If you want to give a book to someone who is curious about math, its scope, and its applications, I would recommend this book.

⭐This book gives a visual explanation how each chapter relates one another, but I started frustrated around chapter 9 because I chose this book to learn the fourth dimension and because the first chapter which mentioned the fourth dimension was chapter 10. I still don’t know if I got what I wanted.However, each chapter has easy and interesting mathematical stories. This book is absolutely fun to read. I’m sure I will read this again when I’m not obsessed about the fourth dimension.

⭐I first heard about Matt Parker on youtube. His impressive knowledge of math (and its applications) is equally matched by his wit. I never thought discussions about math, polygons, knots, etc could be entertaining. This guy is truly gifted. I’ve been enjoying this book, and dreading the day that I get to the last page.

⭐You will not be able to stop reading this book. Your friends and family will grow concerned as you begin to treat this book more and more like a real person. You will have conversations with it. You will laugh at its jokes, and nod knowingly at its philosophical points. You will try your hardest to get other people to read it, but they will just think you are an autistic savant, because who reads a book about math on purpose? You do! And you will be so satisfied with this book, you will email Matt Parker, before you have even completed the book, to profess your everlasting love for him. He will not be able to respond because Matt gets and infinite amount of email, and you will always be just a few emails down the queue from where he is reading. He just can’t seem to read all of his emails!There is an easter egg in this book that is very well hidden, and will take you an afternoon to find. When you find it you will smugly show your friends, and they will block your phone number. Who needs friends anyway when you have this amazing book?

⭐Feeling very rusty in Mathematics since I left school (CS dropout), I decided to take on a recreative math book in order to get my feet wet without feeling discouraged too early. I’m glad I choose this one by Matt Parker. There were many topics covered that I had absolutely no knowledge of and were very interesting to read about. The author makes his sense of humor present in every chapter, which reinforces the recreational nature of the text. I also appreciated a lot the many curious little tidbits that one can bring up during conversations with friends. I only wish the book had more of those.

⭐Fascinating book. Of course, I can’t understand the algorithms, but I enjoy Matt Parker’s humorous way of making math interesting and showing showing practical uses for it, such as how to prevent tangles in string, wires and headphones; how to hang a picture so it won’t fall off the wall . . . or if it does, how to make sure it falls to the floor gently. How to cut a pizza or to cut cakes of different shapes so everyone gets their fair share of icing. How to tie your shoelaces the “Math” (and quickest) way. I’m giving this book to my grandchildren of various ages, hoping it will inspire them to love math–or at least respect it and understand how important it is in the smallest and largest aspects of the universe. If any of my grandchildren decide to become teachers, I hope they will engage their students by making their time in the classroom exciting and relevant to their everyday lives.

⭐Pages from 310 to 341 were completely missing. The exterior was totally fine, whilst somehow managing to go without 33 pages. I believe it’s a problem with the manufacturing company though, not a designers choice.Despite that, I’m not satisfied. What do you recommed? Would a refund be possible or a resend of a normal copy?Thank you in advance

⭐I enjoy recreational maths and this author has been my favorite part of a certain YouTube series since I first saw him. If you like his videos then this book will be great for you. If you’re looking to get into rec maths I think he gives a good explanation of a decent range of topics and leaves a ton of things for you to explore yourself. I have a feeling that’s intentional on his part. So if you’re looking for an exciting adventure, sherlock Holmes style, following clues and learning for the shear fun of learning than this is the book for you. Wonderfully written and informative. I’d give it 5 n-dimensional stars.

⭐My inner nerd was awoken again by this book and I’m glad it was! You do not need a maths degree to enjoy this book but it will not be for everyone. If you already enjoy logic, numbers, or are just a little geeky then this is a fantastic read. Since reading this book I have discovered a whole world (online and offline) or fun, recreational maths/science.

⭐I love Matt’s appearances on Numberphile and his own YouTube channel. I enjoyed this book a lot, but it did feel a little lacking. Much of its content will be familiar to anyone who buys a lot of this kind of book. I also feel the title trails a lot more content on multi-dimensional ideas than the book delivers. Worth reading but not so much if you’ve read a lot in the genre. If you’re new to the genre, it’ll be great for you.

⭐I really enjoy Matt’s videos so thought I’d try one of his maths books and it did not disappoint.I enjoyed the fact that the book covered very diverse topics from number puzzles to geometry and of course a lot of solids in higher dimensions.Some parts were a bit difficult to follow in the digital version as the pictures are more accessible in paperback.Would recommend this book to any maths enthusiast

⭐I’ve read quite a few ‘popular’ maths books and even not-so-popular ones, but this is one of the best. It’s not just the author’s unique approach, but the insights he provides. As someone well-read in this area, I still learnt a lot of new stuff. He has an unusual ability to take novices and reveal secrets of the esoteric. At times I couldn’t put this book down, but I suspect others with less experience of the topics may need to take it slowly – just read some of the other reviews. As I say in the title: geeks will love this book; but people less familiar with the subject will simply be amazed and awe-struck at the sheer majesty that is mathematics.

⭐This book is amazing! I’ve been following Numberfile and Matt on youtube for a long time and so I didn’t really have to think twice about buying this book. It’s educational, but you don’t feel like you’re stuck in a match class. It’s funny yet intelligent and understandable (Except for the higher dimensions chapters, but I don’t think that’s Matt’s fault. It’s fault of my small brain.)I would give it 5 starts but I have to take half of the star off for the lack of fourth dimension when it comes to the book itself. It’s just boring 3D cuboid made out of paper. I WANT MY 4TH DIMENSION BOOK!And also another half for not explaining to me if the 4th dimension actually exists or if it’s just a mathematical construct. I’m still a bit unsure about it…But all in all, I’d recommend this book to everyone! Even to the hypoteticals 🙂

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