G Is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book

Rating:
Summary: "Google:" mind-boggling and well worth a goggle.
Review: "G is for Google" explains complex math concepts in a palatable format. From "abacus" to "zillion," detailed descriptions are combined with fun cartoons and illustrations that bring math concepts down to earth. Even adults can learn a thing or two from this book: for instance, how the German city of Konigsberg, with its seven bridges, came to demonstrate the network theory. How many grown-ups really know the quantity of a google, the two ways of writing a google, and how this number got the name "google" in the first place?

Armed with this book, I was finally able to answer some of my son's questions, such as "what comes after a trillion?" Answer: a quadrillion, a quintillion, a sextillion, and so forth. This information is filed under "z is for zillion," where it is explained that a zillion is not a real number, but merely means "a lot." (One of many math myths dispelled in the book.) Some other terms that are explained include: "fibonacci," "exponent," and "probability," as well as the less intimidating "jupiter" and "diamond."

While the alphabet format is more conducive to browsing than reference, there is a glossary of math terms in the back of the book. "G is for Google" is primarily for ages nine and up, although some younger children who are particularly interested or gifted in math may benefit.

Rating:
Summary: This is interesting stuff!
Review: First off, be aware that google is the internet search site, NOT a mathematical term. A googol is, though, and it is a 1 followed by 100 zeros, which happens to be a number larger than the number of grains of sand on the earth. This book is interesting stuff!

I took a chance on ordering it because I had never heard of it before but it intrigued me. For each letter of the alphabet, a mathematical term (or two) is defined. It's fun, mathematical terms are clearly explained and some of the letters give you go-along activities.

I've been reading this aloud to my kids (ages 8 & 10) and they enjoy it. I even learned some new things, and I have a degree in mechanical engineering (which requires a lot of upper level math.) Your kids don't have to be gifted in math to enjoy this one. Some of the topics are A is for Abacus, B is for Binary (great explanation!), C is for cubit, D is for Diamond, E is for equilateral and exponent, F is for Fibonacci and G is for Googol. If you don't know what those mean, you'd better get the book!

Even if my 8 yo doesn't remember what an exponent is, she may remember them when she comes to them again and it won't be so intimidating. The more explanations the better, right? This book doesn't teach you anything you HAVE to know, just lots of interesting things that make math fun. Maybe that makes it more interesting - because you don't have to know it.

I caught my 10 yo teaching my 8 yo how to make a mobius strip and what it was. I had to say, "HEY! Have you been reading ahead without me?!" He sheepishly admitted it, but it was so interesting he just had to!

I would say this is probably good for 3rd or 4th grade and up. A younger age could understand some of the topics, but some of the math topics require a bit higher order thinking.

Rating:
Summary: like it was written especially for my son
Review: I am the mother of a gifted 7 year old boy. We don't generally buy books because he reads them so fast. We'd be overgrown by books and probably deeply in debt if we bought all the books he wanted to read. We use the library and that is where we found this incredible book which is unbelievably good for my son. He was fascinated by the book and was learning all kinds of very neat mathematical things. He loves talking about the dodecicosehedron (or something like that). We did end up buying this book for him because the library wouldn't let us borrow it any more and because he fell in love with it. I've never written a review before but I have to tell you this book was amazing for my child. It was like it was written just for him.

Rating:
Summary: My son couldn't put this one down!
Review: My son is seven and working his way through 5th grade math. This book reviewed some concepts for him and introduced him to others. He thought it was fascinating! There's a lot of information packed into these pages, and the author delivers it all in a very entertaining manner. Don't let the ABC picture book concept fool you, this book was designed with the help of 4th-6th grade students and teachers. I give it five stars!