The Book of Numbers: The Secret of Numbers and How They Changed the World [Paperback]

Peter J. Bentley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2008

Unraveling the secrets of numbers, from the discovery of zero to infinity.

In clear language, The Book of Numbers cuts through the mystery and fear surrounding numbers to reveal their fascinating nature and roles in architecture, quantum mechanics, computer technology, biology, commerce, philosophy, art, music, religion and more. Indeed, numbers are part of every discipline in the sciences and the arts.

With 350 illustrations, including diagrams, photographs and computer imagery, the book chronicles the centuries-long search for the meaning of numbers by famous and lesser-known mathematicians, and explains the puzzling aspects of the mathematical world. Topics include:

• The earliest ideas of numbers and counting
• Patterns, logic, calculating
• Natural, perfect, amicable and prime numbers
• Numerology, the power of numbers, superstition
• The computer, the Enigma Code
• Infinity, the speed of light, relativity
• Complex numbers
• The Big Bang and Chaos theories
• The Philosopher's Stone.

The Book of Numbers shows enthusiastically that numbers are neither boring nor dull but rather involve intriguing connections, rivalries, secret documents and even mysterious deaths.

(20080705)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Beautifully illustrated...a fascinating read.... Would serve as a good reference for mathematics students as well as preservice and in-service educators. (Cathleen M. Zucco-Teveloff, Rowan University Mathematics Teacher, Vol. 102, No. 7 201008)

Bentley brings the kind of enthusiasm and excitement to numbers that would well serve any high school math teacher. (Bill Bean Waterloo Region Record 201008)

Mathematics, perhaps surprisingly, can be far more entertaining than the average high-school textbook lets on, (Evan Wexler The Globe and Maill 20101123)

No. 5, New and Notable Books about Numbers, Scientific American. (Scientific American )

The Book of Numbers is quite an interesting read.... fairly out of the ordinary and informative. (Heather Steacy The Lethbridge Herald )

Book of Numbers proves that numbers are neither dull nor boring... Worth the read. (Calliope )

A beautifully put together book... It could bring to students that necessary curiosity that enables them to enjoy mathematics. (David Stahnke Annotopia )

About the Author

Peter J. Bentley is a senior research fellow and professor at the Department of Computer Science, University College London, and is well known for his prolific research covering all aspects of evolutionary computation and digital biology. He is the author of the popular science book Digital Biology and a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4.

(20080501)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (February 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554073618
• ISBN-13: 978-1554073610
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #791,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, May 26, 2008

By 

MJ Schmidgall - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Numbers: The Secret of Numbers and How They Changed the World (Paperback)

With a title like Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Computer Science, University College London," one would expect Peter J. Bentley's work to be quite good. Dr. Bentley's bio on his website clearly communicates that this is a man who is quite intelligent. His work outside of writing is a strong indicator that he is a cut or two above the norm.

As such, there is no excuse for some of the outright errors in his writing. Trivial errors that a first year math major knows to avoid.

When discussing prime and composite numbers, Dr. Bentley uses the number 72 to illustrate how any number that is not prime can be broken down into a product of prime factors. He states that 72 = 4 * 18, and 18 = 2 * 9 and 4 = 2 * 2. Thus the factors are 2 * 2 * 2 * 9. "And, you guessed it, both 9 and 2 are prime numbers." Call me crazy, but 9 is not a prime number. It is a composite of 3 * 3, where 3 IS prime. A mistake like this is utter carelessness.

The next paragraph leaves no time for respite. When speaking of how Euclid proved this concept he states "He didn't just hope that his theorem was true. If he relied on hope, we'd still be calling it a ---theory.---" The mathematical word Dr. Bentley was looking for here is "Conjecture." A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world. By saying something would be a theory if it was unsubstantiated, he propogates a continuing myth about science and knowledge.

And Dr. Bentley does not seem the type to want to promote that area of misunderstanding. In fact, much of his writing intimates a strong bias against religious belief and persons (The people who so often claim that evolution is "just a theory"). Following his incorrect statement about theories, he provides an example of proof by contradiction. Within the example, he uses The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) as the moving force of the proof. The FSM is a well-known parody religion used (and created) to make fun of Intelligent Design and Christianity. His bias continues when he's speaking of irrational numbers and the Pythagoreans. He states that when they realized irrational numbers conflicted with their religious beliefs they "did what any good religious sect does and suppressed the truth." Such a blanketing statement is an unpardonable logical fallacy. Bias and beliefs are an aspect of who we are, but they have no business being in a popular science book about numbers.

I have been using The Book of Numbers as my bathroom reader for a while now. Previously, I have found the information to be fascinating and enjoyable. Now, however, after stumbling across blatant errors in quick succession, I find myself more concerned about the truth value of Dr. Bentley's statements than about actually reading the book. As a senior research fellow, and an obviously brilliant man, he should know better.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting in spite of annoying errors, September 16, 2008

By 

Mark H. Van Tuyl (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Numbers: The Secret of Numbers and How They Changed the World (Paperback)

Any book with chapter numbers like -1, 0, .00000000001, e, c and i is worth reading. That read has been quite enjoyable except for the errors which occur throughout. For example, the number 79 is rendered in Roman numerals as LXXVIIII rather than LXXIX (page 19) and on page 48 (as noted by another reviewer) the assertion is made that "And, you guessed it, 9 and 2 are prime numbers". Since 9 has 3 as a factor, it clearly isn't prime. Several more examples could be cited, but these will give you an idea of what to expect.

Overall, the book is very enjoyable and written in an easily accessible manner. I just wish that the proofreading and editing had been more thorough.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars in love with math history, April 4, 2008

By 

Amy Schexnayder "amywithlemon" (louisiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Numbers: The Secret of Numbers and How They Changed the World (Paperback)

i am only on the 3rd or 4th chapter (the chapters aren't numbered traditionally so off the top of my head...i don't know).

this is a great book all about the history of numbers and how we came to use them in everyday life and in higher sciences. it includes philosophy information (which is a hit with me) and is in depth without being overwhelming. i have read other math history books which essentially cover the same topics (the history isn't any different, no matter how its written), but i prefer this one. it has graphs, diagrams, and lots of historical images. it also has side bar items to explain some of the theories as they are 'discovered' in time.

i've read euclid's window, which is a math history book that made me fall in love with the subject of numbers and history (and made me pursue a double degree in mathematics and philosophy). i like this one better, if only for the photos, but i do recommend them both!