Beyond Numeracy
by John Allen Paulos
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Book Summary Information
Author: John Allen PaulosEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1992-04-07
ISBN: 067973807X
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Vintage
Book Reviews of Beyond Numeracy
Book Review: Encyclopedic knowledge on mathematical topics
Summary: 4 Stars
The book consists of short articles on key mathematical topics. The best articles are the ones really focused on mathematical or geometrical topics, especially the ones where he went down to the explanation or demonstration. Other topics like Goedel's theorem are more difficult and although one can try to understand the very broad idea behind, I could not say I have even come close to an understanding.
The articles about the philosophical detours of a mathematician were also difficult to follow. I have the impression (just a metaphor) that when we perceive a formula or mathematical or logical proposition, our brain circuitry recognizes it as such and the signals travel through a special mathematical processor that is difficult to access in regular circumstances, this would explain our fear of formulas, since these neurological pathways are not the common route. Mathematicians seem to use this path as the standard route, so they talk about everyday situations in mathematical constructions leaving us lay persons wondering: "What is he talking about?"
His mathematical account of the perfect democracy offered me new insights of which I had not thought of and I believe the implications of these are very important.
Since each article has no relation with the next, it is not a book that you cannot drop, you can read one chapter every now and then. The author chose an alphabetical order for his articles rather than a chronological one. This makes you jump from Aristotle and Euclid to Goedel's theorem, over Pascal's triangle and back to Pi and Pitagoras. In the end I appreciated this approach, since I did not have the impression that the more I read, the more incomprehensible or difficult it would get, I was rather glad that I could return to known terrain like Pitagoras.
All in all this is a highly recommendable book, I just would have liked some topics explained in a little more detail.
Summary of Beyond Numeracy
From the author of the national bestseller Innumeracy, a delightful exploration and explanation of mathematical concepts from algebra to zero in easily accessible alphabetical entries. "Paulos . . . does for mathematics what The Joy of Sex did for the boudoir. . . ."--Washington Post Book World. First time in paperback.Beyond Numeracy by bestselling author John Allen Paulos is, according to the introduction, "in part a dictionary, in part a collection of short mathematical essays, and in part the ruminations of a numbers man." This book is genuinely different from other books on mathematics intended for a wide audience as the essay topics are indisputably diverse. (Titles include "Human Consciousness, Its Fractal Nature" and "Mathematics in Ethics.") Furthermore, Paulos's unique sense of humor and ability to intelligently editorialize are delightful--especially in a book on such a dry subject.
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