Humble Pi

Humble Pi by Matt Parker is a captivating exploration into the world of mathematics and its sometimes humorous, sometimes catastrophic failures. The first ever maths book to become a No.1 Bestseller, it delves into what happens when maths goes awry in the real world and brings consequences that are often unexpected and dramatic.

Have you ever wondered what makes a bridge wobble when it shouldn't? Or how billions of dollars can seemingly vanish into thin air? Or why a building might sway to the rhythm of a gym class jumping to Snap's 1990 hit, "I've Got The Power?" The answer, in each of these cases, lies in mathematics. Or, to be more precise, the mishaps that occur when mathematical principles are misunderstood or misapplied.

In Humble Pi, Matt Parker takes us on a fascinating journey through a series of glitches, near-misses, and outright disasters stemming from mathematical miscalculations. Our modern lives are intricately built on maths: from computer programmes and financial systems to engineering marvels. And most of the time, these mathematical foundations operate seamlessly and unnoticed—until they don't.

Parker skilfully explains a litany of real-world anomalies caused by mathematical errors. His narrative covers a wide array of intriguing topics: the role of maths in the internet, big data, elections, street signs, lotteries, the Roman empire, and even a hapless Olympic shooting team. Each example is a testament to how essential mathematics is, and how spectacularly things can go wrong when it's not quite right.

But Humble Pi is more than just a catalogue of mathematical mishaps. Through his engaging storytelling, Matt Parker shows us that by understanding and embracing maths, we can learn from its failures and prevent future errors. The book also features puzzles, challenges, and geometric socks, sprinkled with jokes about binary code and three deliberate mistakes for readers to catch. By highlighting the humorous side of getting things wrong, Parker makes maths relatable and fun.

Whether you're a maths enthusiast or someone curious about the hidden workings of the world around us, Humble Pi offers a unique and entertaining perspective. Discover the bizarre ways maths can trip us up and gain a newfound appreciation for its indispensable role in our lives. Getting it wrong has never been more enjoyable.