Beyond Numeracy (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The practical importance of studying mathematics is widely acknowledged, but relatively few will grant that the mathematics of everyday life can be an engaging topic..." (more)
Key Phrases: mathematical folklore, multiplication principle, golden rectangle, New York, Bertrand Russell, United States (more...)

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: 12.5 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #292,890 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the few great mathematics books., January 25, 2004

By	T SANTOSO (Surabaya, Jatim Indonesia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was captured entirely by "innumaracy", so i dwelve deeper into John Allen Paulo works, his website and other books, and i manage to buy several of the books.

I particularly like beyond numeracy. It is not as easily read as innumeracy, but it is deeper and more insightful.

It is written in loose shorter essays focusing on special mathematic things. I love the explanation of "infinity", "chaos theory", "pi", "probability" etc. I think people interested slightly in mathematics will be enchanted and enjoying the book.

Some of the essays are only sweet writing words, some contain heavy formula that needs digestions and basic math understanding.

There are about 70 short essays in all that can be read independently at leasure. I found out i strted to get dizzy after reading 10 essays in a straight reading.

John proved that you can make dry stuff interesting, and if you read some of the materials and use if for conversation, it will makes you look like a whiz with great taste! that is one additional benefit of reading! and you will do it without the usual pain. ;-)

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Colin Mummery (London) - See all my reviews

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.

13 of 14 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

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.