200,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿 

Black Friday Sale on Now! Save up to 25% off Books, Toys, Board Games, & Puzzles! ✨

The Maths Book

Big Ideas Simply Explained
By DK
Series: DK Big Ideas
0.0 (0 reviews)
4.14 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 390 ratings, 44 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
The Maths Book by DK is a visually engaging exploration of mathematical concepts through history, designed for both enthusiasts and curious minds. With clear explanations and rich illustrations, it covers everything from ancient arithmetic to modern mathematical theories, making complex ideas accessible and enjoyable. Perfect for those looking to delve into the wonders of mathematics without the need for advanced prior knowledge.
Read More
Format: Hardback
Save 30% Off
Savings are calculated from our regular price of $44.00 compared to the current price of $31.00.
$3100
Elsewhere:
$4800
On Sale
in Black Friday Sale until 30 Nov or while stocks last
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

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?

You might enjoy this book if you have a passion for understanding the world of numbers and equations. This book is perfect for those who appreciate detailed explanations of mathematical concepts and their historical development. Its visual approach makes complex ideas more accessible and engaging for both newcomers and enthusiasts alike.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

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

A vibrant exploration of the world's most famous and key mathematical ideas, movements, and people.

What is an imaginary number? Can two parallel lines ever meet? How can maths help us predict the future?

Charting the development of maths around the world from Babylon to Bletchley Park, this book explores big questions like these and explains how the answers help us understand everything from patterns in nature to artificial intelligence.

Written in clear English, The Maths Book is packed with short, pithy explanations that cut through the jargon, step-by-step diagrams that untangle knotty theories, memorable quotes, and witty illustrations that play with our ideas about numbers.

This diverse and inclusive account of mathematics offers insights into the maths behind world economies and espionage. But it also traces the history of maths, from ancient ideas such as magic squares and the abacus to modern cryptography, fractals, and the final proof of Fermat's Last Theorem. Continuing the "Big Ideas" series' trademark combination of authoritative, clear text and bold graphics, The Maths Book uses an innovative visual approach to make the subject accessible to everyone, whether you're an avid student or just curious about maths.

Series: DK Big Ideas

View all
  • The Economics Book
    DK's bestselling guide to the history of economics - fully revised and updated. What happens in a recession? How does money work? Why do we pay tax? Explaining the key milestones in the field of economics in a clear and simple way, The Economics Book answers these questions and more besides, and is the perfect introduction to the subject. Untangling...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $4000
    Elsewhere:
    $4800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    30% off
    The Science Book
    DK's bestselling guide to the “big ideas” of science - now fully revised and updated. Did the universe start with a Big Bang? Is light a wave, a particle - or both? Is a “Theory of Everything” possible? Explaining the key milestones in the field of science in a clear and simple way, The Science Book answers these questions and...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $3500
    Usually:
    $5000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The World War I Book
    The "War to End All Wars" - Episode by Episode Discover the key battles, tactics, technologies and turning points of the First World War - the epic conflict that was supposed to be "the war to end all wars". Combining authoritative, exciting text and bold explanatory graphics, The World War I Book explores the historical background to the war, its...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $4800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Biology Book
    An accessible guide to the most important discoveries and theories in the history of biology. What is life? Why do bees dance? How do animals know their mothers? Who discovered germs? Biology is the story of our quest to understand the living world and explain how its organisms work and interact—whether microbes, mushrooms, or mammals. In answering these and many...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $4800
    Backorder
    Ships early December
  • The LGBTQ + History Book
    A bold, accessible, and truly global overview of LGBTQ+ history, from the ancient world to the present day. Discover the rich and complex history of LGBTQ+ people around the world—their struggles, triumphs, and cultural contributions. Exploring and explaining the most important ideas and events in LGBTQ+ history and culture, this book showcases the breadth of the LGBTQ+ experience. This diverse,...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $4800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Ecology Book
    DK's best-selling guide to the history of ecology - fully revised and updated. Get to grips with the key concepts that have shaped the way we think about the environment, ecosystems, and biodiversity, and our role in protecting the planet. Packed with short, pithy explanations of more than 90 of the key milestones and groundbreaking ideas within the field, The...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $5000
    Backorder
    Ships early December
  • The Mythology Book
    Big Ideas Simply Explained More than 80 classic myths retold and explained, from early creation beliefs to classical hero narratives and the recurring theme of the afterlife. The latest title in the bestselling Big Ideas series, The Mythology Book explores the compelling worlds and characters depicted in myths and legends. Delve into each myth and discover the meanings behind these...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $4800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Feminism Book
    A complete study of feminism, profiling the key ideas, events, and movements from its 18th-century origins to #metoo. Exploring more than 100 of the most important ideas, organizations, and events that have defined the feminist movement, this is an essential introduction to feminism. The latest entry in DK's bestselling Big Ideas series, The Feminism Book is a complete study of...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $4800
    Backorder
    Ships early December
  • On Sale
    30% off
    The Maths Book
    A vibrant exploration of the world's most famous and key mathematical ideas, movements, and people. What is an imaginary number? Can two parallel lines ever meet? How can maths help us predict the future? Charting the development of maths around the world from Babylon to Bletchley Park, this book explores big questions like these and explains how the answers help...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $3100
    Elsewhere:
    $4800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Sociology Book
    All the big ideas, simply explained - an innovative and accessible guide to sociology. Exploring more than 80 of the big ideas and key theories in the field of sociology in a clear and simple way, this is the perfect introduction to the study of how humans live and interact with each other. The Sociology Book offers a deep dive...
    By DK and Sarah Tomley and Mitchell Hobbs and Megan Todd and Marcus Weeks
    Hardback
    $4500
    Elsewhere:
    $5000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    30% off
    The Physics Book
    A vibrant mix of creative typography, graphics, and accessible text to explore the most famous and important ideas and people in physics. How do magnets generate electricity? What is antimatter? Is time travel possible? Discover the answers to these and over 90 other big questions that explore the most important laws, theories, and breakthrough moments in our understanding of physics—from...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $3100
    Elsewhere:
    $4800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Literature Book
    Big ideas, simply explained "Books, let's face it, are better than anything else." - Nick Hornby Turn the pages of The Literature Book to discover over 100 of the world's most enthralling reads, and the literary geniuses behind them. Storytelling is as old as humanity itself. Part of the Big Ideas Simply Explained series, The Literature Book introduces you to...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $4800
    In Stock
    Ships today

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241350362

Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 05 September 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: DK

Contributors:

  • Foreword by Matt Parker

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 202.0mm

Height: 240.0mm

Weight: 1150g

Pages: 352

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Black Friday Sale Black Friday Sale: Books Black Friday Sale: Non-Fiction DK Education & Reference Gifts $20-$50 In Stock Books Non-Fiction Penguin Books Science & Nature Series: DK Big Ideas

About the Author

Matt Parker (Foreword By) Originally a maths teacher from Australia, Matt Parker is now a stand-up comedian and a YouTuber with over one hundred million views. He is the author of the #1 bestseller Humble Pi and Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension. Matt is also frequently seen, heard, and read on the Discovery Channel, on BBC radio, and in The Guardian, in that order. He has previously held world records for both the Rubik's Cube and Space Invaders. In the pursuit of maths, Matt has- flipped a coin 10,000 times, travelled to Antarctica, memorized p to hundreds of digits, and been bitten by a bullet ant in the Amazon rainforest. Matt has given maths lectures at Cambridge University, Oxford University, Harvard University and Lake Monger Primary School.

Also by DK

View all
  • Warhammer 40,000 Character Encyclopedia
    The first ever Warhammer 40,000 Character Encyclopedia profiles more than 160 fan-favourite characters. Want to dive into the grim darkness of the far future, but don't know where to start? Look no further! From the stalwart commanders of the Space Marines to the mysterious Phoenix Lords of the Aeldari, explore the greatest warriors and leaders of each warring faction. Featuring...
    By DK and Wade Pryce
    Hardback
    $3999
    Elsewhere:
    $4800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • My Very First Bible Stories
    A beautifully illustrated collection of 14 favourite Bible stories, from Noah's Ark to the birth of Jesus. My Very First Bible Stories is perfect for parents and carers to share with young children beginning their journey of faith. Introducing a selection of favourite Bible stories with this meaningful book for toddlers. This illustrated board book contains 14 Bible stories that...
    By DK
    Board book
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Little Course in Crochet
    Simply everything you need to know to learn something new. Ever wanted to learn how to crochet but don't know where to begin? Take the first step with A Little Course in Crochet, part of the popular series of learning guides from DK that explain everything and assume nothing. Learn at your own pace, in your own time, and in...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $2600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • My Very First Bible
    A perfect introduction to 25 of the most beloved Bible stories. This illustrated first Bible story book for children is a wonderful collection of 25 favourite Bible stories re-told for a young audience. Accounts from the Old Testament and parables from the New Testament are covered in a clear and accessible way. From Creation to Noah's Ark, each story is...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    20% off
    Titanic
    A picture-packed guide to the Titanic, from its incredible construction, catastrophic sinking, and lasting legacy. Travel back to the year 1912 and experience the tragic tale of the world's most famous and luxurious liner. This book tells the story of Titanic's fateful maiden voyage from Southampton, UK, to New York City. Learn what life was like for people on board...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $2000
    Usually:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    11% off
    My First Words: Let's Get Talking
    This busy board book with tabs gets little ones thinking, talking, and learning new words! Let's learn first words and start talking! Can you spot the fluffy teddy bear? Where is the fluttering butterfly? From toys and farm animals to shapes and things that go, babies and toddlers will love pointing to and naming the different objects. This is the...
    By DK
    Board book
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Explore
    Maps to pore over, on subjects you'd never expect, compiled with explanatory diagrams and text to form an exciting new style of reference. Maps can help you find your way around more than just places, and knowledge can be shared using more than just words. Inside these pages, you will discover maps of science, history, nature, and space. Find a...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $4100
    Elsewhere:
    $4800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • World History
    A truly global view of history covering over 350 of the world's most important milestones and key turning points. An essential gift for every history buff, this boldly illustrated book maps out the events that have shaped our world—from the dawn of human civilisation to the present day. A comprehensive and accessible guide to the history of human civilisation, World...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $4800
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • On Sale
    29% off
    RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Design
    Extensive design inspiration backed up with practical content, including step-by-step instructions on how to build garden structures and planting techniques. Do you long to create the garden of your dreams? Turn ideas into reality with this brand new edition of the classic design bible. Whatever the size of your garden space, and whether starting with a blank canvas or renewing...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $4800
    Elsewhere:
    $7500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Animals
    A next-generation animal encyclopedia bursting with breathtaking photography and packed with the topics kids love most. Experience the world's most incredible animals in one amazing book. Like the hugely successful Eyewitness series itself, Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Animals includes all the topics children most want to read about. The world's most amazing animals are here, from tiny ants to the mighty...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $4800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Ancient Greece
    A five-star guided tour of the ancient Greek civilisation. Embark upon a fascinating journey through ancient Greece - from its rise and fall to its lasting legacy throughout the Western world. Spanning more than 3,000 years, Ancient Greece explores the tumultuous history of this glorious empire in vivid detail - from its Minoan and Mycenaean origins to the apogee of...
    By DK
    Hardback
    $6600
    Elsewhere:
    $7500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Super Simple Chemistry
    Packed with all the core curriculum topics, this book for kids aged 12 and over is ideal for home and school learning. A fantastic aid for coursework, homework, and test revision, this completely comprehensive guide to Key Stages 3 and 4, and the entire GCSE curriculum, makes chemistry crystal clear and will have you exam-ready in no time. Each topic...
    By DK
    Paperback
    $3200
    In Stock
    Ships today

Browse lists from our team

The Latest at Book Hero

View all

More from Science & Nature

View all
  • What If? 10th Anniversary Edition
    CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF THE MILLION-SELLING POP SCIENCE CLASSIC WITH A SPECIAL EDITION. THIS IS WHAT IF? . . . x10. THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Nerd royalty' — BEN GOLDACRE 'Totally brilliant' — TIM HARFORD 'Required reading across the world' — NEW YORK TIMES From the creator of the wildly popular xkcd.com, experience hilarious and informative answers to important questions...
    By Randall Munroe
    Hardback
    $4200
    Elsewhere:
    $5000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Nuclear War
    The Sunday Times bestselling non-fiction thriller that has to be read to be believed. Baillie Gifford shortlisted, a favourite of Steven Bartlett, with an average reader rating of 4.6, sure to be a mass-market hit. Up to now, no one outside of official circles has known exactly what would happen if a rogue state launched a nuclear missile at the...
    By Annie Jacobsen
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    17% off
    The Anxious Generation
    A powerful argument for reclaiming childhood—and all human relationships—from the online world, from the influential social psychologist and international bestselling author. Jonathan Haidt has spent his career speaking truth and wisdom in some of the most difficult spaces—communities polarised by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the mental health emergency hitting teenagers today in many countries around...
    By Jonathan Haidt
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    17% off
    Prisoners of Geography
    Prisoners of Geography looks at the past, present, and future to offer crucial insights into one of the major factors that determine world history – because if you don’t know geography, you’ll never have the full picture. Originally published in 2015, this completely revised and updated edition brings it up to date with the events and trends of the past...
    By Tim Marshall
    Paperback
    $2400
    Usually:
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Diddly Squat: Home to Roost
    It's been another memorable year on Diddly Squat Farm - will the chickens finally come home to roost? Welcome back to Clarkson's Farm. The spring crop failed. Farming sheep, pigs, and cows was hardly more lucrative (better off breeding ostriches...) But in the face of uncooperative weather, bureaucracy, and the world's persistent refusal to recognise his genius, our hero's not...
    By Jeremy Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    30% off
    The Place of Tides
    To save the world, we have to start somewhere. One afternoon many years ago, James Rebanks met an old woman on a remote Norwegian island. She lived and worked alone on a tiny rocky outcrop, caring for wild ducks and gathering their down. Hers was a centuries-old trade that had once made men and women rich, but had long been...
    By James Rebanks
    Paperback
    $2100
    Usually:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    20% off
    Ultra-Processed People
    Launching the runaway bestseller with ambitions to be the biggest non-fiction paperback of the year IT'S NOT YOU. IT'S THE FOOD. "If you only read one diet or nutrition book in your life, make it this one" - Bee Wilson "You've got to get this book in your life . . . Completely compelling . . . Read a page...
    By Chris van Tulleken
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Pokemon Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded 2024
    The essential guide to all things Pokémon, this year’s Encyclopedia includes all of the details of Ash Ketchum’s battle to become Pokémon World Champion! The new updated and expanded final edition of the Pokémon Encyclopedia! Ash Ketchum’s journey to becoming a Pokémon Master, and winner of the Masters Eight World Championships, has come to an end. Travel through all 8...
    By Pokémon
    Hardback
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    20% off
    Kitchen Confidential
    The classic bestseller from the star of Parts Unknown and No Reservations: 25th Anniversary edition, with a new introduction by Irvine Welsh. BEFORE THERE WAS THE BEAR, THERE WAS BOURDAIN. ‘Elizabeth David written by Quentin Tarantino’ — A.A. Gill ‘Fantastic: as lip-smackingly seductive as a bowl of fat chips and pungent aioli’ — Daily Telegraph After twenty-five years of sex,...
    By Anthony Bourdain
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • That's not my... Zoo
    A perfect introduction to zoo animals with eye-catching illustrations, touchy-feely patches and a noisy finale! Discover the fun of the zoo in this sound-book addition to the bestselling That's not my... series. Turn the pages to explore the zoo and meet a monkey, an elephant, a tiger and a parrot in this larger format touchy-feely book. Press the sound button...
    By Fiona Watt
    Board book
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Tim's Pick Tim's Pick
    Sapiens
    Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is an extraordinary exploration of humanity's history from the dawn of our species to the present day. Harari delves into our evolution, offering insights into the cognitive revolutions that allowed Homo sapiens to rise above other animal species. Traversing through various stages of human development, he examines the Agricultural Revolution, the unification of humankind through...
    By Yuval Noah Harari
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Talk
    A Harvard professor shows how we can become better talkers - and why effective conversation will help us all thrive. Conversation is at the heart of our relationships and decision-making, but the science behind our everyday interactions, and how to improve them, is little known. In Talk, Harvard Professor Alison Wood Brooks provides fascinating insights into the power of effective...
    By Alison Wood Brooks
    Paperback
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 200,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.