Member Reviews
A wonderful exploration of the history and beauty of mathematics traveling from the very inception of numbers as we know them for counting through the most complex ideas including irrational and imaginary numbers.
This book is great for anyone wanting to know more about math. I love how the author discussed math concepts in a way that is accessible to most people. I also enjoyed that there were many examples paired with everyday life.
For someone who never had the chance to view Math positively, reading this book made me question just how wrong the teachers and instructors I met were, and more so just how wrong they were about Math.
Math lovers would definitely get most of the concepts and practical sessions the author includes here, however, there is one extra great thing about this, the author provides history and gives background information unraveling how most of the concepts we know today came about and if you love a good story, or history, then that's where this book will get your attention.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
If you've ever wondered why you were learning mathematical concepts or mathematics in general, The Voice of Math will answer many questions about the "why" of math. Kester presents the history of math and the history of applications of math. The book is presented imply enough so that even the mathphobe can read and understand, and there's a "derivation of e" discussion as an appendix for those of us whose math careers progressed a bit further down the educational road.
The Voice of Math: three 1/2 stars recommended, especially for those in non-math fields
The Voice of Math is a fascinating exploration of mathematics through a uniquely human lens. Dave Kester takes readers on an insightful journey through the history and beauty of numbers, revealing their often hidden impact on our lives and thinking. This book makes math approachable and engaging for everyone, regardless of their mathematical background. It encourages curiosity and may just inspire you to see the world of numbers in a whole new light. A must-read for anyone interested in understanding the profound influence of mathematics on humanity.
Here’s a thing I liked about the voice of math; the author really is passionate about the subject. You know what they say about The Divine comedy? That it’s incomprehensible to someone who isn’t a Christian and to be able to understand Dante one must become a Christian for a few hours. This has the same effect.
The author starts the book with a reference to a friend who loves rocks. He describes his friend’s passion for rocks and how that affects his friend’s way of looking at rocks, and how rocks are special and unique to him.
Here’s another thing; Dave Kester tries to communicate this love of math in words and can simplify huge parts of math so that someone who doesn’t like math can understand what he means.
This book was more about the history of math and understanding the concepts of math than solving equations. I think this way of approaching math and teaching it is better than just solving and memorizing equations, because this way you actually understand how math works rather than how to solve a problem.
I recommend the voice of math to people with a background with mathematics as well as beginners to deepen our understanding of the subject. I believe that the not-too-complex writing style that wasn’t in long chunks will fit many different kinds of readers’ tastes and teach them something about math that they didn’t learn about at school.
This book is ideal not only for those with a background in math but also for anyone interested in the history and evolution of numbers. For readers eager to go deeper or find the book is hard to grasp, the Appendix provides practical problems to solve, offering a hands-on approach to applying the discussed concepts. It offers an exploration of the history of numbers, showing the hidden beauty and joy of mathematics. Instead of focusing on solving equations, this book talks about the development of our number system through various cultures and people over time.
The author starts by presenting the dramatic history of numbers, illustrating how they have evolved across different eras and civilizations. This storytelling method makes the history of math both engaging and relatable, transforming abstract concepts into an intriguing narrative. It enhances our appreciation for the historical development of mathematics. The book reveals the true beauty of math and its significant impact on human culture.
This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to enrich their understanding and passion for mathematics.