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How Not to Be Wrong

The Hidden Maths of Everyday Life
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( 21,028 ratings, 1,886 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
How Not to Be Wrong by Jordan Ellenberg explores the profound ways mathematical thinking can illuminate and solve everyday problems. By demystifying complex mathematical concepts, Ellenberg shows how to apply them in practical contexts, making the abstract both accessible and beneficial for better decision-making. It's a fascinating journey through the power of mathematics in our daily lives.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're intrigued by how mathematics shapes the world around us in unexpected ways. With wit and insight, it explores how thinking mathematically can help us make better decisions and understand complex problems, making it perfect for those who enjoy uncovering the hidden patterns in life.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Explores the mathematician's method of analyzing life, from the everyday to the cosmic, showing us which numbers to defend, which ones to ignore and when to change the equation entirely. This book tells us that maths touches on everything we do, and a little mathematical knowledge reveals the hidden structures that lie beneath the chaotic surface.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

How a little mathematics goes a long way in helping you not to be wrong.

The maths we learn in school can seem like an abstract set of rules, laid down by the ancients and not to be questioned. In fact, Jordan Ellenberg shows us, maths touches on everything we do, and a little mathematical knowledge reveals the hidden structures that lie beneath the world's messy and chaotic surface.

In How Not to Be Wrong, Ellenberg explores the mathematician's method of analysing life, from the everyday to the cosmic, showing us which numbers to defend, which ones to ignore, and when to change the equation entirely. Along the way, he explains calculus in a single page, describes Gödel's theorem using only one-syllable words, and reveals how early you actually need to get to the airport.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

How Not to Be Wrong by Jordan Ellenberg explores how mathematical thinking can provide fresh insights into everyday situations. Reviewers appreciate the author's ability to make complex concepts accessible and engaging, often through entertaining anecdotes and real-world examples. Some critics note that the depth of the mathematical content may occasionally be challenging for those without a strong background in the subject.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780718196042

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 May 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 327g

Pages: 480

About the Author

Jordan Ellenberg is a Professor of Mathematics at University of Wisconsin, and the 'Do the Math' columnist at Slate. He has lectured around the world on his research in number theory, and delivered one of the plenary addresses at the 2013 Joint Mathematics Meetings, the largest math conference in the world. His novel The Grasshopper King was shortlisted for the NYPL Young Lions Award, and he writes regularly for The New York Times Magazine, the Washington Post and Wired.

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