
Odd Numbers
Herbert McKay(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 20. July 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
228 pages
978-1-108-00282-0 (ISBN)
Description
Mathematics has a reputation of being dull and difficult. Here is an antidote. This lively exploration of arithmetic considers its basic processes and manipulations, demonstrating their value and power and justifying an enduring interest in the subject. With humour and insight, the author shows how basic mathematics relates to everyday life - as true now as when this book was originally published in 1940. The introductory treatment of millions, billions and even trillions could be profitably read by aspiring bankers, economists or politicians. H. G. Wells is gently teased for his mistake in applying the law of proportionality in a novel. McKay politely adjusts the astronomical scales selected by the eminent cosmologist Sir James Jeans. He confidently navigates the hazards of averages, approximations and units. For anyone interested in what numbers mean and how they can be used most effectively, this book will still educate and delight.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
328 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-108-00282-0 (9781108002820)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
Preface; 1. Millions and billions and trillions; 2. Great powers and little powers; 3. How we got logarithms; 4. Proportion; 5. Comparisons; 6. Proportion in triangles; 7. Weights and measures; 8. The delusive average; 9. Approximations; 10. Multiplication and division; 11. Tables; 12. Units; 13. Oddities of numbers; 14. The construction and solution of problems; 15. Scales of notation.