The Maths That Made Us: how numbers created civilisation

Bestselling science writer Michael Brooks explores the wonders of numbers in his book "The Maths That Made Us," explaining how they enabled explorers to travel, astronomers to map the heavens, won wars, and halted the HIV epidemic. He also shows how maths shaped human history, from ancient Egyptian priests to Apollo astronauts and Babylonian tax collectors to juggling robots.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2022
Publisher: Scribe Publications

Quadratic equations, Pythagoras theorem, imaginary numbers, and pi — you may remember studying these at school, but did anyone ever explain why? Never fear — bestselling science writer and your new favourite maths teacher, Michael Brooks, is here to help.

In The Maths That Made Us, Brooks reminds us of the wonders of numbers: how they enabled explorers to travel far across the seas and astronomers to map the heavens; how they won wars and halted the HIV epidemic; how they are responsible for the design of your home and almost everything in it, down to the smartphone in your pocket. His clear explanations of the maths that built our world, along with stories about where it came from and how it shaped human history, will engage and delight.

From ancient Egyptian priests to the Apollo astronauts, and Babylonian tax collectors to juggling robots, join Brooks and his extraordinarily eccentric cast of characters in discovering how maths made us who we are today.

Brooks takes us on a journey through the history of mathematics, from its ancient origins to its modern applications. He explains how maths has been used to solve problems, create new technologies, and shape the world around us.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of imagination in mathematics. Brooks argues that imagination is essential for developing new ideas and solving complex problems. He shares stories about mathematicians who have used their imagination to create groundbreaking theories and discoveries.

Another important theme is the importance of collaboration in mathematics. Brooks highlights the contributions of many mathematicians throughout history, from ancient Greek scholars to modern-day researchers. He shows how collaboration has led to the development of new mathematical theories and the solving of challenging problems.

Throughout the book, Brooks uses humour and storytelling to make complex mathematical concepts accessible to a wide audience. He provides examples and exercises to help readers understand and apply the maths they are learning.

In conclusion, The Maths That Made Us is a fascinating and engaging book that will inspire and delight readers of all ages. Whether you are a student, a professional, or just someone who loves numbers, this book will help you understand the power of mathematics and its impact on our world.

Brooks reminds us of the wonders of numbers: how they enabled explorers to travel far across the seas and astronomers to map the heavens; how they won wars and halted the HIV epidemic; how they are responsible for the design of your home and almost everything in it, down to the smartphone in your pocket. His clear explanations of the maths that built our world, along with stories about where it came from and how it shaped human history, will engage and delight.

From ancient Egyptian priests to the Apollo astronauts, and Babylonian tax collectors to juggling robots, join Brooks and his extraordinarily eccentric cast of characters in discovering how maths made us who we are today.

Brooks takes us on a journey through the history of mathematics, from its ancient origins to its modern applications. He explains how maths has been used to solve problems, create new technologies, and shape the world around us.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of imagination in mathematics. Brooks argues that imagination is essential for developing new ideas and solving complex problems. He shares stories about mathematicians who have used their imagination to create groundbreaking theories and discoveries.

Another important theme is the importance of collaboration in mathematics. Brooks highlights the contributions of many mathematicians throughout history, from ancient Greek scholars to modern-day researchers. He shows how collaboration has led to the development of new mathematical theories and the solving of challenging problems.

Throughout the book, Brooks uses humour and storytelling to make complex mathematical concepts accessible to a wide audience. He provides examples and exercises to help readers understand and apply the maths they are learning.

In conclusion, The Maths That Made Us is a fascinating and engaging book that will inspire and delight readers of all ages. Whether you are a student, a professional, or just someone who loves numbers, this book will help you understand the power of mathematics and its impact on our world.

Weight: 268g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913348984