The Joy of x: A Guided Tour of Math, from One to Infinity by Steven H. StrogatzMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a book to be enjoyed by all. Steven Strogatz approaches every topic -- basic operations, equations, data, the nature of infinity and more -- with clarity, affability and great examples.
For whatever reason, observations like this: "Things that seem hopelessly random and unpredictable when viewed in isolation often turn out to be lawful and predictable when viewed in aggregate"make me so happy.
In the 2020 year of chaos and uncertainty, reviewing the majestic orderliness and sensibility of math by reading a book like this can restore your faith in the nature of knowledge.
Another satisfying quote: "When a guitar string is plucked or when children jiggle a jump rope, the shape that appears is a sine wave. The ripples on a pond, the ridges of sand dunes, the stripes of a zebra—all are manifestations of nature’s most basic mechanism of pattern formation: the emergence of sinusoidal structure from a background of bland uniformity."
And since I've hated proofs forever, this quote warmed my heart: "Proofs can cause dizziness or excessive drowsiness. Side effects of prolonged exposure may include night sweats, panic attacks, and, in rare cases, euphoria. Ask your doctor if proofs are right for you."
Great book ~ two thumbs up!
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