David Acheson

1089 and all that

Mathematics isn't always seen as the most entertaining of subjects. In 1089 and all that:A journey into mathematics, David Acheson tries to change that perception. He gives a lighthearted introduction to geometry, algebra and calculus, and goes on to look at the numbers π, e and i. There are chapters on oscillating strings, infinite series and 'the secret of all life'. He also considers chaos theory, soap bubbles, and his own version of the Indian rope trick. There are also has plenty of amusing cartoons - it's really quite impressive how much is packed into this small book.

The blurb suggests that this is aimed at those who have been put off mathematics. I'm not convinced about that - the book still has quite a bit of mathematical notation. I think it's more for someone who is fairly keen about learning mathematics, and wants an entertaining overview of what's on offer. It also suit someone about to start studying these subjects at school, although the cartoons seem aimed at a different generation. Those who already know the mathematics are also likely to find something new and entertaining It would make a good book to read on a journey, alhough unfortunately the paperback version seems to be out of print.

Amazon.com info

Hardcover 184 pages
ISBN: 0198516231
Salesrank: 332919
Weight:0.57 lbs

Published: 2002 Oxford University Press, USA

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Amazon.co.uk info

Hardcover 184 pages
ISBN: 0198516231
Salesrank: 8709
Weight:0.57 lbs

Published: 2002 OUP Oxford

Amazon price £14.25

Marketplace:New from £11.91:Used from £11.78

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Amazon.ca info

Hardcover 184 pages
ISBN: 0198516231
Salesrank: 274716
Weight:0.57 lbs

Published: 2002 Oxford University Press

Amazon price CDN$ 27.06

Marketplace:New from CDN$ 23.66:Used from CDN$ 17.12

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Product Description
This books aims to make mathematics accessible to non-experts and the lay reader. Providing an entertaining overview of the subject, the text includes several fascinating mathematical conundrums. The author's writing ability is second to none and Acheson provides a clear, unpatronising explanation of mathematics. The book contains several cartoons, sketches and photos making it entertaining and compulsive reading.

Product Description

This books aims to make mathematics accessible to non-experts and the lay reader. Providing an entertaining overview of the subject, the text includes several fascinating mathematical conundrums. The author's writing ability is second to none and Acheson provides a clear, unpatronising explanation of mathematics. The book contains several cartoons, sketches and photos making it entertaining and compulsive reading.

What a splendid little book *****
This book is simply a delightful little journey into mathematics, not to light to be boring for the working mathematician nor to hard for someone who is not a math head. Many beautiful results are presented in a simple yet marvelous way, ranging from the 1089 number trick through inverted n-linked pendulums and ending with the stunning connection between pi, e and imaginary numbers. In short a delightful read, from an author who obviously loves math and masterly shares this passions with the rest of us. If you find yourself marveling over this book then I can highly recommend picking up Proofs from THE BOOK, which although being quite more math heavy shares many qualities with this book.

What a splendid little book *****

This book is simply a delightful little journey into mathematics, not to light to be boring for the working mathematician nor to hard for someone who is not a math head. Many beautiful results are presented in a simple yet marvelous way, ranging from the 1089 number trick through inverted n-linked pendulums and ending with the stunning connection between pi, e and imaginary numbers.

In short a delightful read, from an author who obviously loves math and masterly shares this passions with the rest of us. If you find yourself marveling over this book then I can highly recommend picking up Proofs from THE BOOK, which although being quite more math heavy shares many qualities with this book.

Short is beautiful *****
This is a delightful short book, not just about mathematics, but actually doing it. Each of the 16 chapters touches on a well-chosen piece of important mathematics. The coverage is broad (in math terms: number theory, algebra, geometry, combinatorics, proof, topology, calculus, differential equations, chaos and catastrophy, and applications as well). The many (black and white) illustrations (including cartoons) make for fast reading, and before you know it, you have finished another chapter. There are numerous connections between chapters. The book has no preface or introduction; you just jump in. (The library copy that I borrowed had lost its dust jacket, and I looked in vain for an explanation of the "purpose" of the book. Why did the author write it? But once I started reading, that question quickly turned out to be irrelevant.) The single page of references for further reading is well chosen. The index spans almost four pages. The typography and layout are beyond reproach. The writing style is concise, informative, precise, inviting, and certainly not dry (reflective and historic tidbits are interspersed). Some minor comments. (1) The (algebraic) explanation of the 1089 number trick does not mention the role of the requirement (which is mentioned) that the first and last digit of the starting number need to differ 2 or more. (2) The reader needs the ability to deal with formulae involving variables, including raising to a power, and ellipses (... to denote infinite series). I don't think this is a limitation for the seriously interested reader. (3) The book is somewhat biased towards "continuous" mathematics, rather than "discrete" mathematics. This is easily explained by the author's background, and again I didn't find it a limitation. My background is more in "discrete" than "continuous" math. I did learn a few new things from the book, such as Malfatti's circles-in-triangle problem, Kakeya's unsolvable needle-turning problem, and the upside-down pendulum theorem. (These may seem strange to you to include in a short math book, but they serve their purpose well.) In such a short book it is very difficult to please everyone. The author has done a wonderful job. Everyone should know at least this much (about) mathematics.

Short is beautiful *****

This is a delightful short book, not just about mathematics, but actually doing it. Each of the 16 chapters touches on a well-chosen piece of important mathematics. The coverage is broad (in math terms: number theory, algebra, geometry, combinatorics, proof, topology, calculus, differential equations, chaos and catastrophy, and applications as well). The many (black and white) illustrations (including cartoons) make for fast reading, and before you know it, you have finished another chapter. There are numerous connections between chapters.

The book has no preface or introduction; you just jump in. (The library copy that I borrowed had lost its dust jacket, and I looked in vain for an explanation of the "purpose" of the book. Why did the author write it? But once I started reading, that question quickly turned out to be irrelevant.) The single page of references for further reading is well chosen. The index spans almost four pages. The typography and layout are beyond reproach. The writing style is concise, informative, precise, inviting, and certainly not dry (reflective and historic tidbits are interspersed).

Some minor comments. (1) The (algebraic) explanation of the 1089 number trick does not mention the role of the requirement (which is mentioned) that the first and last digit of the starting number need to differ 2 or more. (2) The reader needs the ability to deal with formulae involving variables, including raising to a power, and ellipses (... to denote infinite series). I don't think this is a limitation for the seriously interested reader. (3) The book is somewhat biased towards "continuous" mathematics, rather than "discrete" mathematics. This is easily explained by the author's background, and again I didn't find it a limitation. My background is more in "discrete" than "continuous" math. I did learn a few new things from the book, such as Malfatti's circles-in-triangle problem, Kakeya's unsolvable needle-turning problem, and the upside-down pendulum theorem. (These may seem strange to you to include in a short math book, but they serve their purpose well.)

In such a short book it is very difficult to please everyone. The author has done a wonderful job. Everyone should know at least this much (about) mathematics.

What a little gem of a book! *****
A perfect book! My 11 year old daughter was entranced by the 1089 problem, and would be reading the book now, except I gave our copy to a friend, (have just ordered another three for us and any other casual callers). I'm doing a maths PhD and I loved it, and have learned things from it. Each chapter leads through a new idea, entertainingly written, but also, for example, giving a clear andsimple introductory explanation of calculus. I think all maths teachers should be given a copy, and should use it in class! Also explains what maths can do, what's it FOR! Absolutely recommended for maths lovers and maths-phobes alike.

What a little gem of a book! *****

A perfect book! My 11 year old daughter was entranced by the 1089 problem, and would be reading the book now, except I gave our copy to a friend, (have just ordered another three for us and any other casual callers). I'm doing a maths PhD and I loved it, and have learned things from it. Each chapter leads through a new idea, entertainingly written, but also, for example, giving a clear andsimple introductory explanation of calculus. I think all maths teachers should be given a copy, and should use it in class! Also explains what maths can do, what's it FOR! Absolutely recommended for maths lovers and maths-phobes alike.

Perfect for lecturers, teachers, students, pupils and those with just a vague interest *****
Alarmed at how much of my children's maths lessons was being lost to determining who had thrown this or that piece of paper, I sought a source of inspiration to keep their love of mathematics alive. I have found it. "1089 and all that" is perfect for the job. Do not think that this is a book aimed at children, though, it is suitable for everyone, including lecturers and will be of benefit to many. First year students obliged to take a maths course will find many stimulating thoughts, though they should read the book with caution, they might just find themselves wanting to major in maths. Such late discovery of the joys of maths could be avoided by presenting all maths and physics teachers with their personal copy to enable them to liven up their classes with interesting asides, I suspect that, if only he could be motivated to do so, Acheson could inspire the least interested slob to stop throwing trajectiles and study their motion instead. I had imagined that the task of building up my children's flagging interest might be slightly forced, even once I'd identified a suitable book, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Just a quick look at the first few pages on-line sent my sons charging off to tell their friends to "Think of a three digit number..." And now that it has arrived, I am redundant, because David Acheson's little hardback, does a far better job than I could ever do. Clear text, amusing cartoons, diagrams, and even blackboard look alikes, every page is a feast. "1089 and all that" is a book that you could race through, but you probably won't because you will wish to savour every tasty morsel of this cordon bleu fare.

Perfect for lecturers, teachers, students, pupils and those with just a vague interest *****

Alarmed at how much of my children's maths lessons was being lost to determining who had thrown this or that piece of paper, I sought a source of inspiration to keep their love of mathematics alive. I have found it. "1089 and all that" is perfect for the job.

Do not think that this is a book aimed at children, though, it is suitable for everyone, including lecturers and will be of benefit to many. First year students obliged to take a maths course will find many stimulating thoughts, though they should read the book with caution, they might just find themselves wanting to major in maths. Such late discovery of the joys of maths could be avoided by presenting all maths and physics teachers with their personal copy to enable them to liven up their classes with interesting asides, I suspect that, if only he could be motivated to do so, Acheson could inspire the least interested slob to stop throwing trajectiles and study their motion instead.

I had imagined that the task of building up my children's flagging interest might be slightly forced, even once I'd identified a suitable book, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Just a quick look at the first few pages on-line sent my sons charging off to tell their friends to "Think of a three digit number..." And now that it has arrived, I am redundant, because David Acheson's little hardback, does a far better job than I could ever do. Clear text, amusing cartoons, diagrams, and even blackboard look alikes, every page is a feast. "1089 and all that" is a book that you could race through, but you probably won't because you will wish to savour every tasty morsel of this cordon bleu fare.

Smashing! ****
A great little book, which makes mathematics accessible to anyone who wants to know. Written in a really friendly, non-condescending manner; Acheson wants you to like his subject, but takes great care not to force it upon you. Recommended for mathematicians looking for a spot of light relief, and non-mathematicians who just want to know a little bit more.

Smashing! ****

A great little book, which makes mathematics accessible to anyone who wants to know. Written in a really friendly, non-condescending manner; Acheson wants you to like his subject, but takes great care not to force it upon you. Recommended for mathematicians looking for a spot of light relief, and non-mathematicians who just want to know a little bit more.

Interesting and concise *****
I had the pleasure of attending a summer school at Oxford where the maths lectures were taken by David Acheson. On the back of that, I bought this book and I'm glad I did! It's interesting and manages to explain things without patronizing those readers with mathematical knowledge, and yet helps those with very little. Highly recommended!

Interesting and concise *****

I had the pleasure of attending a summer school at Oxford where the maths lectures were taken by David Acheson. On the back of that, I bought this book and I'm glad I did! It's interesting and manages to explain things without patronizing those readers with mathematical knowledge, and yet helps those with very little. Highly recommended!

A fascinating little book! *****
I am currently training to be a maths teacher, and bought this book largely out of curiosity. But what a great little book! It is written in a style that is understandable to anyone without a great deal of mathematical knowledge, but is still interesting to anyone with a maths background. The style is lively and entertaining, and there are plenty of pictures and diagrams. Chapters such as 'The Trouble with Algebra', 'On being as Small as Possible', 'Are We Nearly There?', 'What is the secret of All Life', and 'Not Quite the Indian Rope Trick' introduce topics such as algebra, geometry, caluculus, infinity and far, far more. It has lots of fascinating little snippits that appealed not only to me, but also to my husband (who is not a mathematician), and my 13 year-old son. A lovely little book!

A fascinating little book! *****

I am currently training to be a maths teacher, and bought this book largely out of curiosity. But what a great little book! It is written in a style that is understandable to anyone without a great deal of mathematical knowledge, but is still interesting to anyone with a maths background. The style is lively and entertaining, and there are plenty of pictures and diagrams. Chapters such as 'The Trouble with Algebra', 'On being as Small as Possible', 'Are We Nearly There?', 'What is the secret of All Life', and 'Not Quite the Indian Rope Trick' introduce topics such as algebra, geometry, caluculus, infinity and far, far more. It has lots of fascinating little snippits that appealed not only to me, but also to my husband (who is not a mathematician), and my 13 year-old son. A lovely little book!