I Wish I Knew That: Math

By Mike Goldsmith

Math, so often a mystery to children, is simply explained in I Wish I Knew That Math. With clear, commonsense explanations of mathematical concepts and fun and interesting applications, this book is a great way to increase your understanding of math. The concepts addressed include, but are certainly not limited to:

 

• Basic operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• The math behind money
• The connections between math and music
• Irrational numbers – Why did Pythagoras have one of his followers killed just for talking about the square root of 2?
• The value of zero
• Angles – from acute, all the way to reflexive
• Coordinates and the Cartesian plane
• Probability – What is the likelihood of being struck by lightning?
• Logic – induction, deduction and Sherlock Holmes
• Computers and algorithms
• Code breaking – from ancient Rome to super computers

 

With its readable style and engaging examples, I Wish I Knew That: Math can give children a head start or a helping hand in their understanding of math. Even grownups could learn a thing or two that they may have forgotten or maybe things they never learned at all!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Readers Digest
• Release date: May 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781606524756

Mike Goldsmith

Dr Mike Goldsmith was Head of Acoustics at the National Physical Laboratory from 1987 to 2007, where he researched noise, speech, language, sound and artificially intelligent machinery. He is the author of many children's science books, including Legendary Journeys: Space, Snot Collectors, Spider Ladders and Other Bonkers Inventions, Train your Brain to Be a Maths Genius and Discord: The Story of Noise. He lives in Twickenham, Middlesex.

Reviews for I Wish I Knew That

[shelf3employed · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you're looking for a basic knowledge refresher or a book to use in prepping for an academic bowl or similar "general knowledge" test, this is the book for you.