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Wonders of Numbers: Adventures in Math, Mind, and Meaning 1st Edition

by
Clifford A. Pickover (Author)
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Clifford A. Pickover (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 21 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0195133424
ISBN-10: 0195133420
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Comment: Pages are crisp, clean and not marred by notes or folds of any kind. Spine is tight with no creases. Cover is intact with no nicks or tears. Ex-library copy w/ usual markings/remainders, book is otherwise clean & unmarked. Has name of library, date and discard stamped inside.

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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 416 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press; 1st edition (December 15, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0195133420
  • ISBN-13: 978-0195133424
  • Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1.5 x 9.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,975,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
A Wonderful Book
By Dennis W. Gordon on January 26, 2001
Format: Hardcover
Now here is a fine weekend escape - a delightful book to be read with one's feet up and an ice cold beverage all the while contemplating the wonders of numbers. Mostly about the integers, there are such mathematical adventures as 2, 3, and 4 dimensional magic squares, numbers so huge they require special notation and easily dwarf the number of atoms in the known universe, fractal number sequences, Mozart numbers, and lots of other fun things in the 125 chapters. My favorite numbers are the Schizophrenic numbers (Chapter 93) which when evaluated to 500 digits reveal patterns of seemingly random digits alternating with chains of repetitions of identical digits. The book is especially entertaining for the connections shown between some of these numbers and music, art, science, and other areas of mathematics.
For additional enjoyment the Further Exploring section offers additional background including references to books and web sites and also some challenges to readers - a few of which even include a cash prize. And, best of all Wonders of Numbers is written in plain English and accompanied by splendid graphics, lively anecdotes, and a generous supply of epigraphs. A fun way to while away a weekend.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
More unusual mathematics from a master
By Charles Ashbacher HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on May 24, 2004
Format: Paperback
Narrated by the outstanding and eccentric mathematician Dr. Francis Google, this book is a collection of unusual mathematics problems, from those involving very large numbers to those defined by applying operations. For example, the Leviathan number (10^666)! is used to demonstrate that it is not necessary to compute a number to learn some of the properties that it has. Sets of numbers such as apocalyptic numbers, those that involve 666, the number of the beast, appear several times. One of my favorites are the Schizophrenic numbers, defined by the formula f(n) = 10 * f(n-1)+n, f(0) = 0, which is a set of integers demonstrating a simple pattern. However, the action starts when the square roots of the numbers are taken. These roots exhibit an unusual, repeated pattern in their digits.
Some incidents of mathematical history that are interesting trivia are also used. The number 365, 365, 365, 365, 365, 365 is supposedly the largest number that was ever squared in the head of a human. Other segments were based on surveys, where people answered questions such as, "Which would have had the greatest impact on the world as we know it today: `If Albert Einstein had lived another twenty years with a clear mind?', `If mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan had lived another twenty years with a clear mind?", If Steven Hawking was not afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease?'." A ranking of the top eight female mathematicians of all time, a listing of the five greatest scandals in mathematics history, the ten most important unsolved mathematical problems, the ten most influential mathematicians of all time, the ten most influential mathematicians alive today and the ten most difficult areas of mathematics to understand provide additional intellectual fodder.Read more ›
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
The best "Pickover" I've read
By Daryl Anderson VINE VOICE on July 23, 2001
Format: Hardcover
Pickover fans will buy and enjoy this book - his 26th by my rough count.
But if you aren't a fan, if you've tasted and returned to the kitchen previous titles by Mr. Pickover, you might still enjoy this fascinating buffet.
And those are 5 hard-earned stars in my rating! I was well past starting to think that the best parts of Pickover's books were the always-intriguing titles. I had started a number of these in the past, but usually ended up skimming or setting them aside. None that I have read would have earned more than 3 stars. Until now!
"Wonders of Numbers" is, somehow, different. It still has some of his quirky lists ("The Unabomber's 10 Most Mathematical Technical Papers", "A Ranking of the 5 Strangest Mathematicians Who Ever Lived"). It still has the intriguing titles - each of 125 "chapters" carries one, ranging from "The Pipes of Papua" to "Anchovy Marriage Test". The pieces still seem to jump all over the place. Most of these things didn't grab me in past Pickover titles. Here, they all fit together and work nicely.
Oddly enough, I think the appeal of this volume might be its eclecticism. Pickover is not trying to create a whole story as he has in some earlier books ("Time: A Traveler's Guide", "Surfing through Hyperspace"). The unifying center of this book is, simply, mathematics and the myriad ways it exposes its wonders to us. I'm guessing that the reason I haven't put this one down is my own fascination with mathematics itself. The broader the scope the better - and none takes a wider view than Clifford Pickover. The book has something for everyone - but it will also draw you in to other pieces you thought you weren't interested in. Martin Gardner meets Conway & Guy ! A nice combo.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
A gem for teachers
By Lynne Kelly on February 9, 2001
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Pickover's latest book is wonderful! I specialise in teaching very able mathematics students and have used Clifford A. Pickover's books and web site with great success. The students really respond to his sense of humour.
Wonders of Numbers is exactly the sort of material which stimulates the bright kids (and their teachers!), and gets them thinking in depth long after the class has finished. It takes them beyond the idea of just "getting sums right" to the concept that mathematics is a glorious plaything.
Many of the chapters include computer related themes (fractals, programming) so students can see that mathematics is an evolving subject, not something which was all discovered long ago.
The constant inclusion of interesting people, the humour in the writing, the validity of the topics mathematically, the strange sidelines and the general sense of fun, ensures I have another gem to extend the students beyond the regular curriculum. The chapters are just the right size to initiate a topic and motivate the students to pursue it. It is lovely to have material to use which doesn't just lead to a correct answer and end to the problem, but leads them to take it further and further.
Wonderful!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Five Stars

loved it

Published 11 months ago by Dennis T Pymm
Five Stars

Thanks.

Published 12 months ago by KIM WON KYU
Great math book

A very good math book, I have bought all my math books from amazon. Use them all. Never stop learning

Published on November 24, 2012 by Jgroshan
The Wonders and Adventures of Numbers

It is readily admitted that I have always been bad in dealing with mathematics except for the four most basic functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Read more

Published on November 29, 2011 by Amazon Customer
Another Great Book on Recreational Mathematics

If you enjoy Recreational Mathematics and have enjoyed other books by the author, then you will like this book as well. Read more

Published on March 31, 2010 by DAVID W SHENK
I love Mathematics

I am still reading the book.

It is elementar, but very interesting.

Published on September 27, 2005 by Doria Andrea
A delightful collection of mathematical puzzles

This book contains a delightful collection of mathematical puzzles in the tradition of Martin Gardner. Read more

Published on July 13, 2005 by Paul Moskowitz
Mind blowing !!

The book provides very valuable information about mathematics.The language is simple and any leyman can understand it well. Read more

Published on July 2, 2004
What a wonderful book!

The best collection of math topics! Each chapter is less than 5 pages and you can jump right to any of them and have fun: check "Who is the Number King", or... Read more

Published on November 24, 2003 by Karina Private
A mathematical carnival at its best

An amazing amalgam of mathematical treats! Each chapter is super short. Fun for readers of wide abilities. Read more

Published on September 10, 2003 by Susan Roche

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