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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Everyone will look at mathematics the way it should be looked at, especially calculus.
Recommended 100% to anybody who ever got bored in a math class. Overall, the book is a touch oversimplified and sadly a little too short, which is why it gets 4 stars instead of 5, but those are my only niggling complaints. The fact that I wanted a book about mathematics to go on longer is a testament to how approachable and enjoyable Strogatz's writing on this subject truly is. I picked this book up when Tobias Dantzig's "Number" got a little too proof-heavy for me to comprehend, and I found "The Joy of X" to be a breezy, enjoyable breather that still manages to get profound mathematical ideas across. I'm sure I'll return to this book for a friendly perspective as I delve deeper into mathematics.
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
I love math. I loved this conversational book on different math topics. It was a great read. Reminded me how much joy I get out of doing algebraic problems. Somehow the ability to solve for X or X and Y always restores my confidence when my life is spinning out out of control from the chaos of multiple variables.
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
A nice little romp through a whole lot of areas of math.
Each topic has its own self-contained, bite-sized chapter. There's not much depth here, but there are a few clever descriptions of tricky things. Still, it seems like you'll need a bit of a background in math to grab some of the later chapters.
If you're looking for an introduction to a bunch of things so you can figure out what to look into more deeply, this is a good book. Otherwise it falls a bit short on detail.
Each topic has its own self-contained, bite-sized chapter. There's not much depth here, but there are a few clever descriptions of tricky things. Still, it seems like you'll need a bit of a background in math to grab some of the later chapters.
If you're looking for an introduction to a bunch of things so you can figure out what to look into more deeply, this is a good book. Otherwise it falls a bit short on detail.
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
A solid 2.5. I picked this book up because it features the ever elusive "X" that completes my 2018 A-Z reading challenge. Math and I have never been friends, especially when it came to topics covered in geometry and calculus, so I was hesitant about reading a whole book on the subject. Luckily Strogatz's writing is welcoming to individuals like me and is peppered with pop culture references, somewhat funny quips, and personal stories of just the right length. I'm now fascinated by Möbius strips, prime numbers, and little quirks about stats. That being said, there were some sections where I was still confused by the most simple of explanations and left the chapter with a shrug of misunderstanding. Regardless, it's an interesting read.
My favorite part of the book is a quote that comes near the end, when Strogatz likens math to Tony Soprano. It's affirming to read as I'm embarking on my graduate stats sequence and am trying to unlearn years of eye-rolling my way through classes with numbers.
My favorite part of the book is a quote that comes near the end, when Strogatz likens math to Tony Soprano. It's affirming to read as I'm embarking on my graduate stats sequence and am trying to unlearn years of eye-rolling my way through classes with numbers.
Math swaggers with an intimidating air of certainty. Like a Mafia capo, it comes across as decisive, unyielding, and strong. It'll make you an argument you can't refuse. But in private, math is occasionally insecure. It has doubts. It questions itself and isn't always sure it's right.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Being a former math student, I have already come across some of Steven Strogatz's books, including those long, tedious textbooks. I stumbled upon this particular book while exploring Scribd's audiobook collection, and its description immediately caught my attention.
In The Joy of X Strogatz takes readers on a captivating journey through various mathematical concepts. What I truly appreciate is his ability to explain real-life phenomena through the lens of mathematics. The book is presented in an easily understandable manner, although I must admit that I would prefer to read the equations rather than listen to them being narrated in the audiobook format.
Given my background in mathematics, I found this book to be somewhat underwhelming as it did not delve deeply into the intricacies of the subject. However, for those who haven't studied advanced mathematics but are curious about its concepts, I believe this book would be reallt enjoyable and insightful.
In The Joy of X Strogatz takes readers on a captivating journey through various mathematical concepts. What I truly appreciate is his ability to explain real-life phenomena through the lens of mathematics. The book is presented in an easily understandable manner, although I must admit that I would prefer to read the equations rather than listen to them being narrated in the audiobook format.
Given my background in mathematics, I found this book to be somewhat underwhelming as it did not delve deeply into the intricacies of the subject. However, for those who haven't studied advanced mathematics but are curious about its concepts, I believe this book would be reallt enjoyable and insightful.