A revolutionary book from the stand-up mathematician that makes math fun again―now in paperback!
Math is boring, says the mathematician and comedian Matt Parker. Part of the problem may be the way the subject is taught, but it’s also true that we all, to a greater or lesser extent, find math difficult and counterintuitive. This counterintuitiveness is actually part of the point, argues Parker: the extraordinary thing about math is that it allows us to access logic and ideas beyond what our brains can instinctively do―through its logical tools we are able to reach beyond our innate abilities and grasp more and more abstract concepts.
In the absorbing and exhilarating Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension, Parker sets out to convince his readers to revisit the very math that put them off the subject as fourteen-year-olds. Starting with the foundations of math familiar from school (numbers, geometry, and algebra), he takes us on a grand tour, from four dimensional shapes, knot theory, the mysteries of prime numbers, optimization algorithms, and the math behind barcodes and iPhone screens to the different kinds of infinity―and slightly beyond.
Both playful and sophisticated, Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension is filled with captivating games and puzzles, a buffet of optional hands-on activities that entice us to take pleasure in mathematics at all levels. Parker invites us to relearn much of what baffled us in school and, this time, to be utterly enthralled by it.
Vada Lee Jones –
Fascinating book. Of course, I can’t understand the algorithms, but I enjoy Matt Parker’s humorous way of making math interesting and showing showing practical uses for it, such as how to prevent tangles in string, wires and headphones; how to hang a picture so it won’t fall off the wall . . . or if it does, how to make sure it falls to the floor gently. How to cut a pizza or to cut cakes of different shapes so everyone gets their fair share of icing. How to tie your shoelaces the “Math” (and quickest) way.
I’m giving this book to my grandchildren of various ages, hoping it will inspire them to love math–or at least respect it and understand how important it is in the smallest and largest aspects of the universe. If any of my grandchildren decide to become teachers, I hope they will engage their students by making their time in the classroom exciting and relevant to their everyday lives.
Jacob Longworth –
You will not be able to stop reading this book. Your friends and family will grow concerned as you begin to treat this book more and more like a real person. You will have conversations with it. You will laugh at its jokes, and nod knowingly at its philosophical points. You will try your hardest to get other people to read it, but they will just think you are an autistic savant, because who reads a book about math on purpose? You do! And you will be so satisfied with this book, you will email Matt Parker, before you have even completed the book, to profess your everlasting love for him. He will not be able to respond because Matt gets and infinite amount of email, and you will always be just a few emails down the queue from where he is reading. He just can’t seem to read all of his emails!
There is an easter egg in this book that is very well hidden, and will take you an afternoon to find. When you find it you will smugly show your friends, and they will block your phone number. Who needs friends anyway when you have this amazing book?
Jerome Decock –
Ce livre a la vertu de dévoiler ce qui est fascinant dans les mathématiques, à travers des histoires, des exemples et des jeux de réflexion. Vous en parlerez à vos amis.
Don –
Matt Parker is both knowledgeable and writes well about his subject.
RandomPurchaser –
I read this book after reading Matt Parker’s later book, Humble Pi. I also watch his YouTube videos on occasion.
I found this book to be a great read, spanning topics from what numbers mean, through knots and higher dimensions, all the way to the infinities (yes, plural). Most of the chapters were interesting, and I enjoyed Parker’s humor and wit as well. There are also a few real world applications that I found fascinating.
I found the parts I didn’t already have a background in (particularly knots) rather difficult, but I think that reading through those sections again a few more times might help with that.
Parker makes a great point in “The Zeroth Chapter” about how those who enjoy mathematics are those who see it almost like a game, and I felt that that point resonated with me.
If you want to give a book to someone who is curious about math, its scope, and its applications, I would recommend this book.
Rui Balala –
Difícil é parar de ler!!!
S Milam –
Author has a great way of pointing out interesting ways to look at math. If someone enjoys math at school and needs something to prompt them to think outside the box, try this book. Author is entertaining, not dry.
BettySpaghetti –
My son is really into math and he just loves this book! It seems like it was his favorite present from Christmas. I want the author to know how much I appreciate him creating it. My son can’t get enough and will tell me all of the insane math facts from this book that completely boggle my mind! My son is 14 for reference.
al –
Matt Parker has an engaging writing style and obvious enthusiasm for the quirks and underlying workings of Mathematics. There is plenty to enjoy and think about in this book
Loved it!
mahesh –
Excellent book for those interested in Maths. Good read for school children who dont get Maths taught in interesting ways.