Product Description

In THE BOOK OF NUMBERS, two famous mathematicians fascinated by beautiful and intriguing number patterns share their insights and discoveries with each other and with readers. John Conway is the showman, master of mathematical games and flamboyant presentations; Richard Guy is the encyclopedist, always on top of problems waiting to be solved. Together they show us why patterns and properties of numbers have captivated mathematicians and non-mathematicians alike for centuries. THE BOOK OF NUMBERS features Conway and Guy's favorite stories about all the kinds of numbers any of us is likely to encounter, and many others besides. "Our aim," the authors write, "is to bring to the inquisitive reader. . .an explanation of the many ways the word 'number' is used." They explore patterns that emerge in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, describe these pattern' relevance both inside and outside mathematics, and introduce the strange worlds of complex, transcendental, and surreal numbers. This unique book brings together facts, pictures and stories about numbers in a way that no one but an extraordinarily talented pair of mathematician/writers could do.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #85500 in Books
• Published on: 1998-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 311 pages

Review
From the reviews:

"This is a really fascinating book either to read or to browse in, or for reference - there is a good index, and I can strongly recommend it - it should be in every school and college library!" The Mathematical Gazette

"a ] A delightful look at numbers and their roles in everything from language to flowers to the imagination." Science News

"a ] The great feature of the book is that anyone can read it without excessive head scratching a ] You'll find plenty here to keep you occupied, amused, and informed. Buy, dip in, wallow." New Scientist

Customer Reviews

Fascinating to work through
This book is great for dipping into and presents a host of accessible results. The first chapter ("The Romance of Numbers") is tedious and can be skipped if you're more interested in the mathematics itself. What then follows is an interesting tour of geometry, prime numbers, modular arithmetic and imaginary numbers. There are no exercises, but many of the presented results can be self-set as challenges. The book then moves on into transcendental numbers, varieties of infinity and a survey of the surreals. This material is denser and more has to be taken on trust. It is arguably therefore less satisfying as a result.

There are few books on the market that cover this range of material at this level. There is little of the "gee whizz" that makes much of the popular literature so frustrating if you wish to go further but neither is it academic in its approach.