Is Maths Real?
How Simple Questions Lead Us to Mathematics’ Deepest Truths
A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2023
A NEW SCIENTIST BEST BOOK OF 2023
WINNER OF THE LA TIMES SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023 BOOK PRIZE
One of the world's most creative mathematicians offers new ways to look at maths - focusing on questions, not answers
'A generous tour of mathematics for anyone whose instincts tend less towards "Just tell me the answer" and more towards "Wait, but why?"' JORDAN ELLENBERG
To many, maths feels like an unmapped wilderness. Between abstract concepts like imaginary numbers and infinity, it can sometimes feel like a lot of maths is just made up. Why, for example, is 1 not a prime? Why do two negatives cancel each other out? Where does trigonometry come from? Is maths even real?
Abstract mathematician Eugenia Cheng shows that curiosity is the best teacher. Is Maths Real? takes us on a scintillating tour of the simple questions that provoke mathematics' deepest insights.
'Intriguing...celebrates the dizziness and disorientation engendered by childlike questions that hint at the deep mysteries beneath' NEW SCIENTIST
'Masterfully uncovers what's simply profound in the profoundly simple' FRANCIS SU
'Discover what it feels like to be a real mathematician' DAILY TELEGRAPH
-
Free Shipping for orders $150+
Book Publication Date:
Book Publication Year:
Book Binding:
Book Language:
Book Authors:
Book Pages:
Book Dimensions: 12.6 cm, 2.59 cm, 19.61 cm
Book Publisher:
Publishing has a diversity problem. There are less 'diverse' books being published which limits the discoverability and reach of those authors.
Representation is important. Read more about why we exist here.
An anti-racist social enterprise bookstore specialising in BIPOC books.
Only about 11% of books published are by BIPOC authors — so unless you specifically seek out books by BIPOC authors, you aren't likely to find very many of them organically. At Amplify, BIPOC authors are highlighted and celebrated. Here, they don't have to fight to be seen, and you don't have to fight to find them.
We hope that in our shop, you can discover a new favourite read, find stories that speak uniquely to you, learn about a culture outside your own (or more about your own histories), and gain a better understanding of the systems that connect us all.
Looking for something super specific?
Have a scroll through our tag directory to help direct your search and bring you to curated collections, as grouped by subgenres, identity markers, and more!
