Beyond Numeracy [Paperback]

John Allen Paulos (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 067973807X | ISBN-13: 978-0679738077 | Publication Date: April 7, 1992

From the author of the national bestseller Innumeracy, a delightful exploration and explanation of mathematical concepts from algebra to zero in easily accessible alphabetical entries. "Paulos . . . does for mathematics what The Joy of Sex did for the boudoir. . . ."--Washington Post Book World. First time in paperback.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Beyond Numeracy by bestselling author John Allen Paulos is, according to the introduction, "in part a dictionary, in part a collection of short mathematical essays, and in part the ruminations of a numbers man." This book is genuinely different from other books on mathematics intended for a wide audience as the essay topics are indisputably diverse. (Titles include "Human Consciousness, Its Fractal Nature" and "Mathematics in Ethics.") Furthermore, Paulos's unique sense of humor and ability to intelligently editorialize are delightful--especially in a book on such a dry subject.

From Publishers Weekly

These conversational, refreshing essays--organized in dictionary format from "algebra" to "zeno"--demonstrate math's relevancy to everyday life; this guide was a BOMC and QPB alternate. Illustrated.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Vintage (April 7, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067973807X
• ISBN-13: 978-0679738077
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,494 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, October 24, 1999

By 

Colin Mummery - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond Numeracy (Paperback)

I read "Innumeracy" and liked it so I read this book too. For me this book is better because there's more mathematical meat on it and it seems to sweep across the whole field of mathematics in easy to read pieces. I wish I'd read this before I started University, my undergraduate maths was so much disjointed rote learning. I got the grades but I'm not sure I really learned anything about mathematics. This book helps to put it all in perspective.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT INTRO REFERENCE TO SIMPLE AND COMPLEX MATH, August 13, 2004

By 

Denis Benchimol Minev "Amazonia" (Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Beyond Numeracy (Paperback)

This is almost a sequel to Innumeracy in which Paulos goes beyond the simple exposition of people's difficulties with math to teach, in a very readable fashion, to main concepts of mathematics, be it simple high school, college, or even the complex research mathematics.

The nice thing about this book is that you can read it bit by bit, since each chapter that deals with a topic is about 3-5 pages long, so you won't get bored and if you don't understand one topic you can move on to the next one. The topics are not really connected, so one can just move on to somehting one finds more interesting.

Overall, I believe I now know what many of the complex topics like chaos theory are about. Enough for a cocktail conversation with a mathematician at least.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, fun-to-read educational book, June 29, 1999

By 

Scott Aponte ([e-mail]) (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond Numeracy (Paperback)

This book was required for my contemporay mathematics class in school, and I thought it was wonderful. Paulos explains many areas of mathematics so that anyone can understand. He does this using real-world examples. Paulos also explains how many common items in our lives are based on math. I think this is great for the student who finds himself/herself saying, "When am I ever going to use this in real life?" during their math classes.