To the mathematically challenged, anything that can make the subject accessible and – dare I say it interesting, is to be welcomed which is why I’ve included Number Freak. Here you will find the maths but also every other aspect of number use in time, sport, history, games and language.  Lots of trivia, puzzles and fascinating facts – Derrick Niederman makes an excellent ambassador for the joy of numbers.

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Synopsis

Did you know that the Hundred Years War actually lasted 116 years? Do you know what decimoctoseptology is? Or what the numbers in a Fibonacci sequence are? Or how to calculate your Erdos-Bacon number?...Number fanatic Derrick Niederman has a mission - to bring numbers to life. In Number Freak , he explores the unique properties of the most exciting numbers from 1 to 200, wherever they may crop up: from mathematics to sport, from history to the natural world, from language to pop culture.

Packed with illustrations, amusing facts, puzzles, brainteasers and anecdotes, Number Freak is an enthralling and thought-provoking numerical voyage through the history of mathematics, investigating problems of logic, geometry and arithmetic along the way. Entertaining and accessible, it is a must for trivia addicts, maths-lovers and number-phobics alike.

Reviews

'A great maths book for geeks and non-geeks alike' - Johnny Ball

 'A fascinating parade of diverse numerical characters... An entertaining mix of numerical fun and theory' - Booklist

'All sorts of fascinating mathematical minutiae' - Time Out, Chicago

About the Author

Derrick Niederman is a mathematician turned investment writer. A graduate of Yale University, he is the author of several previous books on numbers and finance, including What the Numbers Say, and The Inner Game of Investing. He has written a series of mathematical puzzle books in the US, and is a regular contributor of crossword puzzles to the New York Times. He lives in Massachusetts. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation