Mathematics for the Imagination

by Peter M. Higgins

Book Overview

Mathematics for the Imagination provides an accessible and entertaining investigation into mathematical problems in the world around us. From world navigation, family trees, and calendars to patterns, tessellations, and number tricks, this informative and fun new book helps you to understand
the maths behind real-life questions and rediscover your arithmetical mind.
This is a follow-up to the popular Mathematics for the Curious, Peter Higgins's...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198604602
• ISBN13: 9780198604600
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

More good maths for the masses from Mr. Higgins

This is a popular maths book and it continues on where 'maths for the curious' left off. I didn't give it 5 stars because although well written it is structured less well than the first book but nevertheless there is some good stuff here for those non-mathematicians wanting to know more about the subject. The section on 'possible and impossible constructions' for instance is a good guide to the whole 'squaring the circle' problem. My only criticism is the structure which includes the 'for connoiseurs' section at the end. I think the structure problem is partly to do with not saying enough about how each chapter relates to the big mathematical picture. Separating out really hard stuff to the end is another structural mistake since it's nicer (IMHO) if the book flows from beginning to end with the hard stuff set in context and maybe bracketed with a warning that 'this is difficult'. But that's me. Anyway Peter should keep writing because those of us who are fascinated by the subject and only have time to read about it in odd moments need all the simplified explanations of complex maths we can get.