Customer Reviews

G Is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"G is for Google" explains complex math concepts in a palatable format. From "abacus" to "zillion," detailed descriptions are combined with fun cartoons and illustrations that bring math concepts down to earth. Even adults can learn a thing or two from this book: for instance, how the German city of Konigsberg, with its seven bridges, came to demonstrate the network theory. How many grown-ups really know the quantity of a google, the two ways of writing a google, and how this number got the name "google" in the first place?

Armed with this book, I was finally able to answer some of my son's questions, such as "what comes after a trillion?" Answer: a quadrillion, a quintillion, a sextillion, and so forth. This information is filed under "z is for zillion," where it is explained that a zillion is not a real number, but merely means "a lot." (One of many math myths dispelled in the book.) Some other terms that are explained include: "fibonacci," "exponent," and "probability," as well as the less intimidating "jupiter" and "diamond."

While the alphabet format is more conducive to browsing than reference, there is a glossary of math terms in the back of the book. "G is for Google" is primarily for ages nine and up, although some younger children who are particularly interested or gifted in math may benefit.

First off, be aware that google is the internet search site, NOT a mathematical term. A googol is, though, and it is a 1 followed by 100 zeros, which happens to be a number larger than the number of grains of sand on the earth. This book is interesting stuff!

I took a chance on ordering it because I had never heard of it before but it intrigued me. For each letter of the alphabet, a mathematical term (or two) is defined. It's fun, mathematical terms are clearly explained and some of the letters give you go-along activities.

I've been reading this aloud to my kids (ages 8 & 10) and they enjoy it. I even learned some new things, and I have a degree in mechanical engineering (which requires a lot of upper level math.) Your kids don't have to be gifted in math to enjoy this one. Some of the topics are A is for Abacus, B is for Binary (great explanation!), C is for cubit, D is for Diamond, E is for equilateral and exponent, F is for Fibonacci and G is for Googol. If you don't know what those mean, you'd better get the book!

Even if my 8 yo doesn't remember what an exponent is, she may remember them when she comes to them again and it won't be so intimidating. The more explanations the better, right? This book doesn't teach you anything you HAVE to know, just lots of interesting things that make math fun. Maybe that makes it more interesting - because you don't have to know it.

I caught my 10 yo teaching my 8 yo how to make a mobius strip and what it was. I had to say, "HEY! Have you been reading ahead without me?!" He sheepishly admitted it, but it was so interesting he just had to!

I would say this is probably good for 3rd or 4th grade and up. A younger age could understand some of the topics, but some of the math topics require a bit higher order thinking.

At her Montessori preschool, my daughter loved only math "work," mastering the binomial and trinomial cubes early on. At 5, as we began homeschooling, her reading level exploded and she fell in love with words. Unlike "hands-on" math, she had no interest in arithmetic or pages of problems. She's a highly gifted, visual-spatial learner who also reads rapidly and at a high level. Now, at 8, I present her with "literary math," books with mathematical concepts and lots of words and pictures. This book is one of the best examples of that genre. When I handed it to my daughter, she eagerly began flipping through the pages, then scanned the table of contents. "V is for Venn diagram!" she said happily. "I LOVE Venn diagrams!" She read everything about them and studied the amusing pictures in detail. Then she began to describe aspects of her life to us in Venn diagrams. So it has gone with the rest of this book, which I highly recommend.

David Schwartz is brilliant! In G is for Googol, he brings together a wealth of mathematical information for strong independent readers. A is for abacus, F is for Fibonacci, and K is for Konigsburg! If you don't know how to pronounce rhombicosidodecahedron, don't dispair! Schwartz will show you how, and his entertaining and informative book will keep inquisitive kids enthralled for hours!

This is such a good book. I bought it for my 10 yo son and he reads from it often, and then comes to me with all sorts of sophisticated tidbits about math, that I'd either forgotten or never known!
It's a very gentle way of getting to know complex mathematical theories, and its explanations are clear and succinct. Although alphabet based, this is not for small children, I would not give it to anyone younger than 9.
I'm very happy with this book and would happily recommend it. We're going to get Q is for Quark next.

My son is seven and working his way through 5th grade math. This book reviewed some concepts for him and introduced him to others. He thought it was fascinating! There's a lot of information packed into these pages, and the author delivers it all in a very entertaining manner. Don't let the ABC picture book concept fool you, this book was designed with the help of 4th-6th grade students and teachers. I give it five stars!

This book enthralled my fifth graders. They are fascinated with large numbers and love the name googol. This book helps get kids excited about math.

I love math, and while it appears to be a kiddy book, for math. It can be used by anyone who is kind of interested in learning random math facts. This book is coloful and entertaining. I like how it lists linking words with the letters by saying,"A is for Abacus: arc, architecture, area, acute ,and angle." If I ever have kids or start to teach, I will teach them the alphabet this way.

Excellent contribution, excellent resource for adults or younger who want to know more... Colorful format. Says enough but not too much so that those of us less math inclined do not become overwhelmed. A delight introduction to a lot!

My boys ages 5 and 7 love math--can't get enough. This is a great book for them, and for me! Kids and adults will find this book fascinating. We have the boys pick one letter a night to read to them before bed. Highly recommend!