Mathematical Mysteries: The Beauty and Magic of Numbers (Helix Books) [Paperback]

Calvin C. Clawson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 8, 1999

Why seemingly unrelated mathematical truths are connected in simple and beautiful equations continues to stump even mathematicians. This recreational math book takes the reader on a fantastic voyage into the world of natural numbers. From the earliest discoveries of the ancient Greeks to various fundamental characteristics of the natural number sequence, Clawson explains fascinating mathematical mysteries in clear and easy prose. He delves into the heart of number theory to see and understand the exquisite relationships among natural numbers, and ends by exploring the ultimate mystery of mathematics: the Riemann hypothesis, which says that through a point in a plane, no line can be drawn parallel to a given line.While a professional mathematician’s treatment of number theory involves the most sophisticated analytical tools, its basic ideas are surprisingly easy to comprehend. By concentrating on the meaning behind various equations and proofs and avoiding technical refinements, Mathematical Mysteries lets the common reader catch a glimpse of this wonderful and exotic world.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A writer in love with his subject, Clawson offers the perfect antidote to the phobias and misconceptions surrounding mathematics. Teasing one marvel after another from simple formulas, he reveals the splendors of a subject too often avoided as drudgery or ordeal. Great mathematicians, he shows, have bequeathed to their successors not only techniques for solving problems but also mysteries inviting contemplation, not solution. Not infrequently, these mysteries link up in startling ways--as when the ancient Golden Mean unexpectedly emerges within the Fibonacci Sequence so important to modern scientific investigations. Unlike some colleagues who cherish their professional secrets as the shibboleths of a pure mathematics untainted by practical application, Clawson rejoices that today's theoretical breakthrough is tomorrow's method of making codes or engineering plastics. But the mental vista he opens for his readers stretches far beyond the numbers we recognize as useful tools to those we acknowledge as humbling enigmas. A superb math book for the general reader. Bryce Christensen --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Calvin C. Clawson is the author of The Mathematical Traveler and Conquering Math Phobia. He has published over two dozen short stories, and won an award from the National Writers Association for his novel The White Badger. A teacher of mathematics at Seattle Community College, he lives south of Issaquah, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (December 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738202592
• ISBN-13: 978-0738202594
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read for mathematicians and non-mathematicians alike, March 21, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Mathematical Mysteries (Hardcover)

Imagine a book that takes you by the hand and leads you through the intricate and exotic world of mathematics, and does require that you know advanced mathematics. THIS IS THAT BOOK! Written in a clear, almost conversational style, this book is a wonderful choice for readers from all types of mathematical backgrounds. Even those who only had high school algebra can read and UNDERSTAND the mathematics presented in this book. It takes the seemingly separate and distinct pieces from different areas of math and ties them together into a nice, clean book. Moreover, you won't spend weeks reading this. It's reads easily, and takes about a week to complete. Chapter by chapter or skipping around, everyone is bound to get something out of this one!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to Number Theory, July 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mathematical Mysteries: The Beauty and Magic of Numbers (Helix Books) (Paperback)

Clawson does an excellent job of introducing the reader to a variety of number theory topics. With each topic, he provides enough information to understand the idea and appreciate its implications without being overly technical or tedious. Suprisingly, an advanced understanding of math is not required to enjoy this book. If you have an interst in number theory and need a starting point, this is the book.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books about math that I have read., July 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mathematical Mysteries (Hardcover)

Clawson writes with refreshing enthusiasm and really conveys how much fun it can be to explore the nature of mathematics. Although there are many equations in the book, Clawson uses them not only to help the readers understand the mathematical ideas, but also to show how truly great mathematicians can come up with extremely elegant expressions to describe what at first would seem to be completely unmanageable concepts.