Strange Curves, Counting Rabbits, & Other Mathematical Explorations

Rating:
Summary: Interesting for autodidacts interested in math
Review: I would agree with the back cover advanced praise for this book. I wanted to make a special note for people who consider themselves to be self-starters in terms of their interest in math: This book has problems throughout the book with SOLUTIONS. The best way to learn math is to do it. While I enjoy a lot of 'pop math' books out there, I am disappointed that there hasn't been an attempt to include a few illustrative problems with solutions (books without solutions aren't going to be useful to autodidacts or even more serious students of the subject). Well, finally this book offers what many of us have been looking for.

Rating:
Summary: Great - well written and entertaining
Review: On opening this Christmas present I inwardly groaned - didn't like the title and the subjects seemed to be ones that had been covered many times elsewhere. BUT...I was so wrong! The writing is clear and entertaining, and the subjects are covered in new and interesting ways. If you like 'popular maths' books then you'll find Ball to be a great new author to keep an eye on. If you are a math teacher or instructor you'll find lots of material here that can only enliven your lessons. One of the best popular maths books for a long time.

Rating:
Summary: Great - well written and entertaining
Review: On opening this Christmas present I inwardly groaned - didn't like the title and the subjects seemed to be ones that had been covered many times elsewhere. BUT...I was so wrong! The writing is clear and entertaining, and the subjects are covered in new and interesting ways. If you like 'popular maths' books then you'll find Ball to be a great new author to keep an eye on. If you are a math teacher or instructor you'll find lots of material here that can only enliven your lessons. One of the best popular maths books for a long time.