Wonders of Numbers: Adventures in Mathematics, Mind, and Meaning 1st Edition by Clifford A. Pickover (PDF)

Description

Who were the five strangest mathematicians in history? What are the ten most interesting numbers? Jam-packed with thought-provoking mathematical mysteries, puzzles, and games, Wonders of Numbers will enchant even the most left-brained of readers.Hosted by the quirky Dr. Googol–who resides on a remote island and occasionally collaborates with Clifford Pickover–Wonders of Numbers focuses on creativity and the delight of discovery. Here is a potpourri of common and unusual number theory problems of varying difficulty–each presented in brief chapters that convey to readers the essence of the problem rather than its extraneous history. Peppered throughout with illustrations that clarify the problems, Wonders of Numbers also includes fascinating “math gossip.” How would we use numbers to communicate with aliens? Check out Chapter 30. Did you know that there is a Numerical Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? You’ll find it in Chapter 45.From the beautiful formula of India’s most famous mathematician to the Leviathan number so big it makes a trillion look small, Dr. Googol’s witty and straightforward approach to numbers will entice students, educators, and scientists alike to pick up a pencil and work a problem.

User’s Reviews

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

⭐If you enjoy Recreational Mathematics and have enjoyed other books by the author, then you will like this book as well. A few things to keep in mind about this specific book:1. Chapters are VERY short, some less than 1 page. Author covers a lot of ground. It may not be detailed enough for some, but for the most part, I though there was enough background history and examples to sufficiently introduce each topic. It is better to know something exists than to never be exposed to it, and this book will expose you to a lot!2. Answers and followup discussions are not at the end of the chapter where I think they should be, but in a separate section toward the end of the book. I don’t like this style as it requires you to use 2 bookmarks and constantly go back and forth. One star penalty for this.3. Many of the great problems posed in the book are answered, but some are specifically left out. I think it should be up to the reader to decide how much they want to spoil the fun.Summed up, a good book well worth getting and reading.

⭐It is readily admitted that I have always been bad in dealing with mathematics except for the four most basic functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Many times I wished I could handle the higher forms of math, but I just can’t seem to get my mind around those meanings. Perhaps that is why I concentrated on communication using letters, instead of the mathematical digits and symbols, and thus became a newspaper journalist.But I’ve always been fascinated by Arabic numbers themselves. No offense intended, but I don’t believe in the “facts” of Numerology, where the numeric equivalents of the letters of my name equals a number that is then subtracted from or added to the numbers of my date of birth, (or some such figuring) tells me my character traits or future. But I not only believe in, but I am captivated, by numbers and how they may align themselves and form and solve puzzles that have nothing to do with what the thing the number hypothetically counts, just the actions of the numbers represented.As an example, consider the number 142857. If one multiplies that number by two, the combined numbers will be the same, but different in arrangement. This holds true up to and through the multiplier of six, the answer of which is 857142. At the multiplication of seven, the number gives up its consistencies and becomes 999999. Now there is a formula that concludes the same, but I’m not so interested in the mathematics to solve “x” as I am in how the numbers simply act with one another.Speaking of simple, I realize my attitude is a highly “simplistic” approach to numbers, whereas the mathematical scientist strives to solve various mysteries of why or how, while I am content to just watch the magic performance and be amazed at the actions. I don’t need to know how it’s done, but am just content to enjoy the show. The Wonders of Numbers: Adventures in Mathematics, Mind, and Meaning is a book that celebrates numbers in their various roles in ways at are truly adventures of figures, their perception and the human mind.This book is not only good reading, but might be used with a young person if they are struggling to learn mathematics, to show them the fun in numbers.

⭐This is a fun and worthwhile book. It contains much useful information about the properties of numbers and many great brain teasers. The problems range in difficulty from simple and obvious to impossible. I will use many of the examples in the undergraduate and graduate mathematics courses I teach.Then why three stars? First reason is the many typos. Most occur in formulas. Examples include numbers and symbols that should be exponents not being superscripted, misplaced parentheses, and typefaces changing within formulas and tables. All this adds to confusion for the reader. I was able to figure out many of the typos, but I’m sure I missed a few.I don’t like the book’s organization. Individual problems are split between two sections, necessitating a lot of jumping around to maintain train of thought.

⭐I am still reading the book.It is elementar, but very interesting.

⭐Helped my son with math.

⭐Thanks.

⭐loved it

⭐This book contains a delightful collection of mathematical puzzles in the tradition of Martin Gardner. There are Klingon Paths, Hexagonal Cats, Messages from the Stars, and Doughnut Loops. If you liked the puzzles in Pickover’s “Alien IQ Test”, you will like the puzzles in this book.The book is not all numbers. There are historical anecdotes and stories about mathematicians told by the author’s alter-ego, Dr. Googol. Are all mathematicians insane? The answer is not clear. However, the author describes the five strangest. Did you know that Pythagoras believed that it was sinful to eat beans?There are a number of interesting top ten lists. As one who thinks that the proper role of mathematics is to solve the problems of the physical world, I was happy to note that Dr. Googol chose equations of physics for six of the ten most important mathematical expressions, e.g. Gauss’ law and Newton’s law of gravitation. Dr. Googol must have some physicist friends.This is just one in a series of wonderful books that Dr. Pickover has written. I also recommend ”

⭐, or

⭐”, and his new book ”

⭐”.

⭐The Author’s semi-jocular style does not deceive. This is a serious book and his deep reverence and love of the subject is not far below the surface.At times I felt that he wrote for the more mentally equipped than the likes of myself, a mathematical voyeur. Thus in some respects he may appeal to the solver of puzzles and conundrums. He does, nevertheless,take you exploring for mathematical jewels and wonders as would a friendly and attentive tutor.Despite a helpful publisher’s note I could not fathom who Dr Googol is. He makes constant appearances throughout. Is he real? Is he a fictitious cartoon character brought in to provide artificial continuity? Is he the author in disguise? Some of his yarns might be true. The answer must remain within a closed circle of initiates.After an initial struggle, I came to admire the layout of the book with its short chapters and its “Further Exploring” appendix which cleverly did away with awkward footnotes.There is no question that the light-hearted manner assists understanding and there are many contemplative moments as well,the chapter on hyperspace prisons, for example, and the fine quotes from sages at the head of every chapter.The author is modest, but you could not call him retiring or unenthusiastic. He is bursting with intelligence and knowledge with an unaffected desire to impart the same to others, which I found irresistible. Yet despite his efforts, I still felt an outsider. Perhaps he tried a little too hard, but he is not to be blamed for that. Five stars to him.

⭐もっと着想を得られる内容に期待していましたが、それほどでもなかった。

⭐

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