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How Numbers Work
- Discover the strange and beautiful world of mathematics
- Narrated by: Mark Elstob
- Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins
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How Numbers Work
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Summary
Think of a number between one and 10. No, hang on, let's make this interesting. Between zero and infinity. Even if you stick to the whole numbers, there are a lot to choose from - an infinite number in fact. Throw in decimal fractions, and infinity suddenly gets an awful lot bigger (is that even possible?). And then there are the negative numbers, the imaginary numbers, the irrational numbers like pi which never end. It literally never ends.
The world of numbers is indeed strange and beautiful. Among its inhabitants are some really notable characters - pi, e, the 'imaginary' number i and the famous golden ratio to name just a few. Prime numbers occupy a special status. Zero is very odd indeed: is it a number, or isn't it?
How Numbers Work takes a tour of this mind-blowing but beautiful realm of numbers and the mathematical rules that connect them. Not only that but take a crash course on the biggest unsolved problems that keep mathematicians up at night, find out about the strange and unexpected ways mathematics influences our everyday lives and discover the incredible connection between numbers and reality itself.
About the series
New Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds.
Designed for curious listeners who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
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What listeners say about How Numbers Work
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- michael burthom
- 05-11-18
fantastic book
This book is a very pleasant listen with fantastic content.
Super concepts and narration.
Thank you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Bumblesquat
- 19-01-22
philosophy of numbers
I really enjoyed this accessible journey into the mysteries of mathematics. From relativity to pasta.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ian
- 09-09-18
An intelligent and accessible tour of the subject.
After hearing this mostly wonderful audiobook, I am bored of shrodingers cat, the overpraise of infinity, and multiverses, which seem to plague popular discussion of maths and quantum physics, but I am very grateful for the rest, which more than makes up for these clichés.
It offers genuinely brilliant insight into the nature of mathematics, and helped set the subject straight in my mind for further self-education. Offers a smart and convincing mix of history, philosophy, and practical description of this giant subject.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- David J. Ickringill
- 26-02-21
Fascinating high level overview of numbers
Right from the off this is an entertaining book and very easy listening. It touches briefly on many interesting uses of mathematics and also some fascinating theories. Is the universe made of numbers or are numbers just a figment of our imagination. First book I have actually finished listening to for a while!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Richard McFerran
- 09-12-19
Great book
This is an interesting book giving a great overview of numbers.
As the book progresses the complexity progresses and it required my full attention to maintain my understanding.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Edgard
- 22-06-19
Great introduction to numbers
This is the perfect book for beginners. It gives both historical and holistic perspectives to help penetrate the abstraction wall of mathematics.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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- andrew
- 24-10-18
Not for listening to
Although the content is good, you’d be much better off reading this book due to visualisation of formula and constant reference to the accompanying pdf
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5 people found this helpful