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  • Published: 7 March 2019
  • ISBN: 9780241375501
  • Imprint: Penguin Audio
  • Format: Audio Download

Humble Pi

A Comedy of Maths Errors




Matt Parker, the brilliant stand-up mathematician, shows us what happens when maths goes wrong in the real world

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Humble Pi written and read by Matt Parker.

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: 9780241375501
  • Imprint: Penguin Audio
  • Format: Audio Download

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Praise for Humble Pi

Numbers to die for. Four stars.

Simon Griffith, Mail on Sunday

Matt Parker has pulled off something wonderful . . . his stories are superb.

Marcus Berkmann, The Daily Mail

Bought it yesterday, enjoying it enormously, well done!

Dara Ó Briain, Twitter

I just finished the new book by irrepressible maths enthusiast @standupmaths, and it's GREAT!

Adam Savage, ex-host of 'Mythbusters', Twitter

An entertaining and often alarming journey through the numerical blunders made over the years.

The Big Issue

Parker is consistently very funny . . . highly entertaining.

The Guardian

"[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"