Sign-In
Cart
You Are a Mathematician: A Wise and Witty Introduction to the Joy of Numbers
Hardcover
ISBN13: 9780471180777
Publisher: Wiley
Published: Feb 1 1997
Pages: 432
Weight: 1.45
Height: 0.00 Width: 5.88 Depth: 1.39
Language: English
If x and y are any of two different positive numbers, which is larger, x2 + y2 or 2xy?
What do you get if you cross a cube and an octahedron?
Discover the surprising answers as David Wells conclusively proves that: you Are a mathematician
Praise for David Wells's
The Penguin Dictionary of Curious and Interesting Numbers.
This is a fascinating, strange, and probably unique book, one that I will look at again and again. As soon as I had taken a good look at it, I went out and bought three more copies to give to friends. --New Scientist.
David Wells's book about curious and interesting numbers is a quirky classic. --William Dunham Author, Journey Through Genius.
Are you on friendly terms with numbers? You will be after reading this delightful introduction to the fascinating and challenging world of mathematics. Bestselling author David Wells, a Cambridge math scholar and former teacher, explores the many patterns, properties --and problems --associated with numbers in a witty, thoroughly engaging style that is both entertaining and informative. Whether you are a math aficionado or whether you, as the author puts it, panic and start sweating at the sight of a sum, Wells makes one point abundantly clear: You Are a Mathematician.
From basic arithmetic to algebraic equations, from the purely practical to the abstract, this is an ideal guide to the potential and pleasures of math. Surprising patterns emerge from the simplest groupings of numbers. The many secrets hidden inside of triangles are revealed, as are the origins of a host of mathematical theories and principles, from Aristotle to Euclid and Galileo. On a journey from the ancient Greeks to quantum theory, Wells shares intriguing anecdotes from history, such as how eighteenth-century European military commanders calculated how many cannonballs their enemies had stacked up next to their cannons.
David Wells invites us to discover the sense of wonder and fun that is so much a part of mathematics. Mathematical thinking is often very much like a game, relying on cunning tactics, deep strategy, and brilliant combinations as much as on observation, analogy, and informed guesswork. To illustrate, Wells includes over 100 brainteasing puzzles and problems, ranging from Ptolemy's theorem to Euler's famous solution to the KOnigsberg bridge problem and Koch's snowflake curve. Modern-day computer buffs will also enjoy the underground classic, the Game of Life, invented by Princeton mathematician John Conway.
Offering a comprehensive and stimulating look at the myriad aspects of mathematics --whether as a household helper or an invaluable tool of science --You Are a Mathematician covers a wide range of topics and applications. It is an ideal guide to the potential and pleasures to be found in math.
Also in
General Mathematics
The Golden Number: Pythagorean Rites and Rhythms in the Development of Western Civilization
Ghyka, Matila C.
Hardcover
How It All Works: All Scientific Laws and Phenomena Illustrated & Demonstrated
Dant, Adam
Clegg, Brian
Hardcover
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Shetterly, Margot Lee
Paperback
Oliver Byrne's Elements of Euclid: The First Six Books with Coloured Diagrams and Symbols (Art Meets Science Edition)
Art Meets Science
Hardcover
Six Easy Pieces: Essentials of Physics Explained by Its Most Brilliant Teacher
Leighton, Robert B.
Sands, Matthew
Feynman, Richard P.
Paperback
Math Practice Workbook Grades 6-8: 1000+ Questions You Need to Kill in Middle School by Brain Hunter Prep
Brain Hunter Prep
Paperback
Who Gets What -- And Why: The New Economics of Matchmaking and Market Design
Roth, Alvin E.
Paperback
The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist's Guide to Success in Business and Life
Dixit, Avinash K.
Nalebuff, Barry J.
Paperback
Tomoko Fuse's Amazing Kusudama Origami: Geometric Paper Art from Japan's Leading Expert!
Fuse, Tomoko
Paperback
Mastering Essential Math Skills Book 2, Bilingual Edition - English/Spanish
Fisher, Richard W.
Paperback
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Shetterly, Margot Lee
Hardcover
The Great Math War: How Three Brilliant Minds Fought for the Foundations of Mathematics
Bardi, Jason Socrates
Hardcover
Math Games with Bad Drawings: 75 1/4 Simple, Challenging, Go-Anywhere Games--And Why They Matter
Orlin, Ben
Hardcover
Counting with - Contando Con Frida (Bilingual: English/Spanish): A Bilingual Counting Book
Rodriguez, Patty
Stein, Ariana
Hardcover
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Shetterly, Margot Lee
Paperback
50 Math Tricks That Will Change Your Life: Mentally Solve the Impossible in Seconds
Zakowich, Tanya
Paperback
New York Post Fiendish Sudoku: The Official Utterly Addictive Number-Placing Puzzle
Gould, Wayne
Paperback
Quadrivium: The Four Classical Liberal Arts of Number, Geometry, Music, & Cosmology
Lundy, Miranda
Ashton, Anthony
Sutton, Daud
Hardcover
Vector: A Surprising Story of Space, Time, and Mathematical Transformation
Arianrhod, Robyn
Hardcover
Graph Paper Composition Notebook: Quad Ruled 5x5, Grid Paper for Students in Math and Science
Wizo, Math
Paperback
Touchthinklearn: Numbers: (Board Books for Baby Learners, Touch Feel Books for Children)
Deneux, Xavier
Hardcover
ALEKS Math Placement Test Prep 2026: 1200 Verified Practice Questions with Accurate Answer Keys, Step-by-Step Worked Solutions, and Clear Concept Expl
Reid, Marcus L.
Publishing, Kettford
Paperback
A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra)
Oakley, Barbara
Paperback
Sudoku for Brain Fitness: 90-Day Challenge to Sharpen the Mind and Strengthen Cognitive Skills
Clontz, Steven
Demyanovich, Julie
Paperback
Un Elefante: Numbers / Números (Bilingual: English/Spanish): A Bilingual Counting Book
Rodriguez, Patty
Stein, Ariana
Hardcover
Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12: 14 Teaching Practices for Enhancing Learning
Liljedahl, Peter
Paperback
Quantum Mechanics Done Right: The Shortest Path from Novice to Researcher
Freericks, James K.
Hardcover
Talentos Ocultos: La Genialidad No Tiene Color. La Fuerza No Tiene Género. El Valor No Tiene Límite.
Shetterly, Margot Lee
Paperback
180 Days(tm) Math for First Grade: Practice, Assess, Diagnose
Smith, Jodene Lynn
Smith, Jodene
Paperback
Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician's Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks
Benjamin, Arthur
Shermer, Michael
Paperback
Number Systems and the Foundations of Analysis
Mendelson, Elliott
Dudley, Underwood
Mathematics
Paperback
Concrete Mathematics: A Foundation for Computer Science
Graham, Ronald
Patashnik, Oren
Knuth, Donald
Hardcover
Medical Dosage Calculations for Dummies
Depuente, Vanessa
Schoenborn, Barry
Snyder, Richard W.
Paperback
The Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe: The Mathematical Archetypes of Nature, Art, and Science
Schneider, Michael S.
Paperback
Sciencia: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Astronomy for All
Watkins, Matthew
Betts, Moff
Tweed, Matt
Hardcover
Reaching for the Extreme: How the Quest for the Biggest, Fewest, and Weirdest Makes Math
Stewart, Ian
Hardcover
300 Math CrossWords: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division Math CrossWords Grade 3 and Above, Age +8
Martin, Josh Ortiz
Paperback
Math Fundamentals 3 - Geometry: For Middle School - A Quickstudy Laminated Reference Guide
Wright, Susan
Expolog
Warren, Peggy
Other
Machine Learning with PyTorch and Scikit-Learn: Develop machine learning and deep learning models with Python
Liu, Yuxi (Hayden)
Mirjalili, Vahid
Raschka, Sebastian
Paperback
30 More Math Mysteries Kids Can't Resist!: Quick & Clever Mysteries That Boost Problem-Solving Skills
Lee, Martin
Paperback
It's All a Game: The History of Board Games from Monopoly to Settlers of Catan
Donovan, Tristan
Paperback
Mechanical Engineering for Makers: A Hands-On Guide to Designing and Making Physical Things
Najia, Samer
Bunnell, Brian
Paperback