Mathematician’s Delight (Dover Books on Mathematics) by W. W. Sawyer (PDF)

Description

Recommended with confidence by The Times Literary Supplement, this lively survey starts with simple arithmetic and algebra and proceeds by gradual steps through graphs, logarithms, and trigonometry to calculus and the world of numbers. Generations of readers have found it the ideal introduction to mathematics, offering accessible explanations of how theory arises from real-life applications.”The main object of this book is to dispel the fear of mathematics,” declares author W. W. Sawyer, adding that “Many people regard mathematicians as a race apart, possessed of almost supernatural powers. While this is very flattering for successful mathematicians, it is very bad for those who, for one reason or another, are attempting to learn the subject.” Now retired, Sawyer won international renown for his innovative teaching methods, which he used at colleges in England and Scotland as well as Africa, New Zealand, and North America. His insights into the pleasures and practicalities of mathematics will appeal to readers of all backgrounds.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: About the Author W. W. Sawyer, now retired, is internationally renowned for his innovative teaching methods.

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

⭐Great book. But the one (paperback) I got has stuck pages every 16 pages. I ended up returning it and get kindle version instead.

⭐I realize this is a book that was first published in the 1940s and the content is still relevant and valid today. I would give the content of this book a 4 or 5, but I gave it 3 stars because of the publication quality, which isn’t up to snuff. The text is blurry and grainy and looks like a photocopy on some pages (not to the point of being unreadable, but it is noticeable and does bother my delicate eyes). Also, about every 10th page is stuck together in the corner.

⭐This is the best math book I’ve ever read. For the first time in my life I start getting math. Author has very simple, engaging and lively style of writing, and not without sense of humor:”If a car runs into you at a 60 m.p.h. it is no comfort to your widow to be told that it had averaged only 10 miles over the last hour, because the driver had spent most of the hour in a pub. ”

⭐I remembered reading this when I was younger, but the book got lost in the shuffle over the years. I stumbled on it while shopping at Amazon, wanted to have a copy around, so I got a new one. Delivery was good and on time. Very satisfied with this purchase.

⭐This book really inspires people how to discover mathematics, especially through small experiments or small calculations. Intuitively then you find some rules behind and thus identify the hidden patterns. Once you can discover some mathematics, such as realizing that the sum of two sides of a triangle is always bigger than the third side, through playing/experimenting the Pythagorean Theorem, you are truly enjoying mathematics!

⭐The most important concept in this book is that you can do experiments to show how math works. So that you would have clear pictures of math concepts in mind, and this may be the only way a person can remember any math formulas even long after graduating from school.I like chapter 6 the most. Using the post and rope analogy, you can actually see how the change of base formula works( although author didn’t explicitly mention this ), without using any algebraic manipulation.

⭐Written nearly 70 years ago, but reprinted many times since then (my used copy dates from 1995), this is a perfect book for those aged 15 to 85 who find Mathematics intimidating or downright incomprehensible. W.W.Sawyer starts with basic principles, and takes the reader by the hand and leads him/her through the world of maths, showing how really it is essentially a kind of shorthand which enables us to work out and understand how the world works. Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus,it’s all there. Fascinating and fun – makes up for all the years of lousy maths teaching endured by so many of us at school!

⭐My 40 year old son is better at math than I am, so I gave him my paperback copy of this book. But it’s good enough that I got a Kindle edition for myself.

⭐I was thinking about my past and a book I read about fifty years ago which clarified the subject of of mathematics in my mind and offered advice on a sensible approach to the study of the subject. (I am referring to mathematics and not arithmetic). I thought nobody would have heard of the book in this technological age and in satirical mood I punched the title in to the Kindle catalogue and there it was! If you like mathematics or are forced by your career in to getting a grasp of the subject get this book. You might grow to love it.

⭐I first read this book decades ago when I was at school and trying to make sense of basic Mathematics despite the best efforts of my teachers to confuse me. It really helped me then and so, finding that it was still in print, I recently bought a copy for my son to help him with his Maths GCSE. He tells me that he has found it really useful and that it has helped to him understand what Maths is about.

⭐I first purchased this book in 1959, when I was 16, but got rid of it when I was moving house and downsizing some time ago. I regretted doing this so I have now bought it again as I still love mathematics. This book explains the basics of mathematics like no other.

⭐This was a suggested to me, in Irish, by a friend in an Irish conversation meetup! I can’t believe it took me so long in life to know about this and think it should be compulsory in grade school! I loved it!

⭐This is a classic book first published over 50 years ago. It deals with the uses of mathematics in a very interesting way and can be recommended to spark up enthusiasm for mathematics in those who tend to be repelled by the subject.

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