Go Figure!: Using Math to Answer Everyday Imponderables [Paperback]

Clint Brookhart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0809226081 | ISBN-13: 978-0809226085 | Edition: 1

Collection of problems for maths buffs.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book, which was written by an engineer, might have been more appropriately subtitled, "Now that I have a scientific calculator, what do I do with it?" There is little here in the way of proof but lots of formulas with explanations of how to use them. The topics covered range from calculating the wind chill factor and temperature humidity index to computing the time dilation effect predicted by Einstein's theory of special relativity. Although not too many people will read this for pleasure, the book could be used to advantage as a supplementary text in a course in "cultural mathematics." It might well motivate students to learn how to use a calculator while at the same time exposing them to some of the ways math impinges on their lives. For most math collections.?Harold D. Shane, Baruch Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (January 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809226081
• ISBN-13: 978-0809226085
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,813,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Flawed, awkward exposition of attractive array of mathematic, April 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Go Figure!: Using Math to Answer Everyday Imponderables (Hardcover)

Author presents a novel selection from mathematics and physics, with many linked to scientific calculator experimentation, from which the appropriately equipped reader may learn. Carbon dating, factorial growth, pyramid schemes, and solar system mechanics are among the areas discussed, all in a lively fashion. Though some topics are advanced, many are presented in a suitably elementary fashion. Unfortunately, the book is marred by numerous serious errors, of which a striking example is the following miscasting of Goldbach's famous conjecture: "no one has ever found a number greater than 2 that could not be expressed as the sum of two prime numbers". (Try 11.) Others, such as the treatment of factorials, evidence faulty logic, a tin ear, misuse of common technical terms, and weak pedagogy. Readers encountering the material for the first time may be stimulated, but will also be misled and, likely, confused. A new printing is said to be in the works, so interested readers are advised to await its appearance before considering a purchase.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New Ideas for the Math Hobbyist, March 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Go Figure!: Using Math to Answer Everyday Imponderables (Hardcover)

The previous critics seem to be a little harsh. What makes a popular math book good is to be everything a textbook is not. That is, it should show lots of examples of what math can be used FOR, with little emphasis on pedantic matters (such as rationalizing the denominator). This book fits the bill. It has examples that people would like to USE, such as figuring their loan payments and predicting how tall their child will grow. It also shows some interesting new connections, showing how the gravitaional formula can be used to predict how many phone calls occur between cities. I think that most people who are curious about if there is more to math than what they learned in school, will enjoy this book.

1.0 out of 5 stars I find nothing imponderable about everyday problems here., April 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Go Figure!: Using Math to Answer Everyday Imponderables (Hardcover)

I was going to buy this book for my son majoring in math, but the topics are either too mundane or not addressed in a useful way. I must agree with reviewer #1 and hope that a revision is corrected and improved. How about addressing how pi was incorported in pyramid building when the Egyptians did not know about it?