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  • Published: 7 March 2019
  • ISBN: 9780141989136
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 256
Categories:

Humble Pi

A Comedy of Maths Errors





Planes, buildings, the internet, the global economy are all based on complex maths. This dark web of formulae goes unnoticed until someone forgets to carry a one and youtube breaks, or planes nearly fall from the sky.

We would all be better off if everyone saw mathematics as a practical ally. Sadly, most of us fear maths and seek to avoid it. This is because mathematics doesn't have good 'people skills' - it never hesitates to bluntly point out when we are wrong. But it is only trying to help! Mathematics is a friend which can fill the gaps in what our brains can do naturally.
Luckily, even though we don't like sharing our own mistakes, we love to read about what happens when maths errors make the everyday go horribly wrong. Matt Parker explores and explains near misses and mishaps with planes, bridges, the internet and big data as a way of showing us not only how important maths is, but how we can use it to our advantage. This comedy of errors is a brilliantly told series of disaster stories with a happy ending.

  • Published: 7 March 2019
  • ISBN: 9780141989136
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 256
Categories:

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Praise for Humble Pi

"[Matt Parker] shows off math at its most playful and multifarious" --Jordan Ellenberg, author of "How to Not Be Wrong

Jordan Ellenberg

Matt Parker is some sort of unholy fusion of a prankster, wizard and brilliant nerd--maths is rarely this clever, funny and ever so slightly naughty.

Adam Rutherford, author of "Creation"
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