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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
The title is perfect for this book as the whole thing is a joy to read! Math doesn't have to be scary, and I recommend this to anyone who would like an armchair discussion about some when's and why's of math. Strogatz ambles through some light history and makes sense of math that seems incomprehensible... I couldn't help smiling as I read it.
informative
Don't get me wrong, I love maths and I guess this book works well as a "what have I learned at school again?", but if i wouldn't have known most of the concepts presented in this book, I guess i wouldn't have understood most of them, cause they aren't explained well.
This could be me, but what underlines this theory is that the few concepts in this book I didn't know, I still feel like I don't understand.
So I wouldn't recommend this, though some approaches and connections in this book were pretty worthwhile which is why it wasn't a complete waste of time.
This could be me, but what underlines this theory is that the few concepts in this book I didn't know, I still feel like I don't understand.
So I wouldn't recommend this, though some approaches and connections in this book were pretty worthwhile which is why it wasn't a complete waste of time.
This is one of the few books that describes the abstractness of math concepts in an actually-accessible way. The descriptions of infinity and topology are perfect in their deconstruction of mathematical concepts to what they really are. Is math complicated? Yes. Are its core concepts difficult to understand? NO.
One of the more frustrating things I feel from the math side is when people say that proofs are too complicated. Usually they are only as complicated as the proof writer's style. If the writer is good at articulating and building an argument, then the proof is usually easy to understand. Strogatz is a good writer and a good presenter, so he's able to present "complex" topics with ease.
If you are not a fully math-y person, read this book. That way you can talk about infinity and geometry and all these other topics with ease. Not only do you get that knowledge, you can also start to deconstruct some of the more complicated math topics being written about today. Most of them just build on the basic concepts in this book. Armed with that knowledge, you can then be far more skeptical and understanding about some of the science literature & articles written today.
For example, knowing the different sizes of infinity helps with a lot of work in computer science (countable is a possibly-tractable problem, uncountable is way way more difficult). Knowing shortest paths helps you handle different geometries such as spheres. Knowing the basics of group theory helps you when people talk about actions and don't understand the simplest answers are often to combine simple steps rather than making a complex machine.
That's where this book is so beneficial. Once you have an intuitive understanding of these core concepts, you can move forward to understanding its use. The biggest influence will probably be in science journalism, because you'll be more able to weed out crap intellectualism and appreciate/use good, novel findings in science.
One of the more frustrating things I feel from the math side is when people say that proofs are too complicated. Usually they are only as complicated as the proof writer's style. If the writer is good at articulating and building an argument, then the proof is usually easy to understand. Strogatz is a good writer and a good presenter, so he's able to present "complex" topics with ease.
If you are not a fully math-y person, read this book. That way you can talk about infinity and geometry and all these other topics with ease. Not only do you get that knowledge, you can also start to deconstruct some of the more complicated math topics being written about today. Most of them just build on the basic concepts in this book. Armed with that knowledge, you can then be far more skeptical and understanding about some of the science literature & articles written today.
For example, knowing the different sizes of infinity helps with a lot of work in computer science (countable is a possibly-tractable problem, uncountable is way way more difficult). Knowing shortest paths helps you handle different geometries such as spheres. Knowing the basics of group theory helps you when people talk about actions and don't understand the simplest answers are often to combine simple steps rather than making a complex machine.
That's where this book is so beneficial. Once you have an intuitive understanding of these core concepts, you can move forward to understanding its use. The biggest influence will probably be in science journalism, because you'll be more able to weed out crap intellectualism and appreciate/use good, novel findings in science.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
A beginner's guide to mathematical concepts, from the basic (which, to be honest, still baffle my non-mathematical brain) to the more advanced and mind-blowing. Introductory, short style chapters that also throw in plenty of images and diagrams to help grasp the concepts, along with some humour peppered throughout. Footnotes provided many more detailed book recommendations for exploring the topics in further depth. An enjoyable read for those wanting to learn more about the world of maths, despite (or because of) their inability to truly understand it!
I really enjoyed this. Strogatz is really effective at mixing the history of mathematics and the practical applications of different mathematical fields into his explanations of the nuts and bolts of specific mathematical concepts. I did not find that his "real life" examples--attempts to make the math he discusses pertinent to daily tasks of experiences--was as interesting or as illuminating. But I certainly learned a lot, and I am very excited to read his book on calculus.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It goes from the very fundamental concepts of math to some modern ideas which are still being developed. It has helped rekindle a love and passion for math. Recommendable.