Mathematics cover

Mathematics

by Jan Gullberg

This gently guided, profusely illustrated Grand Tour of the world mathematics takes the reader on a long and fascinating journey - from the dual invention of numbers and language, through the primary realms of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus, to the final destination of differential equations, with excursions into symbolic logic, set theory, topology, fractals, probability, and assorted other mathematical byways. Mathematics: From the Birth of Numbers is unique among popular books on mathematics in combining an engaging, easy-to-read history of the subject with a comprehensive mathematical survey text. Intended, in the author's words, "for the benefit of those who never studied the subject, those who think they have forgotten what they once learned, and those with a sincere desire for more knowledge," it links mathematics to the humanities, linguistics, the natural sciences, and technology.

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?