As Easy As Pi: Stuff about numbers that isn't (just) maths - Softcover

Buchan, Jamie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 178243433X ISBN 13: 9781782434337

Publisher: Michael O'Mara, 2015

Synopsis

Taking a quirky and insightful look at the world of numbers, As Easy As Pi will delight and entertain any number enthusiast.

In this day and age it's hard to imagine a world without numbers. Our lives are centred around commerce and money, and it is the only language that's the same the world over. However, did you know that for a long period of time people could not get their heads around the idea of zero, a figure representing nothing, and that it was even regarded as heretical in some circles?

As Easy As Pi is an entertaining and accessible guide, written for those who love numbers – and those who don't – and uncovers a great deal of lore and intriguing information. Including:

- Snippets of fascinating numerical facts
- Myths and mysticism in the world of numbers
- Numbers in language and used as slang
- Pop culture trivia
- Useful mathematical rules to remember

About this title

About the Author

Jamie Buchan, formerly a Queen's Scholar of Westminster School and now an undergraduate at the University of Edinburgh, has always been interested by the mathematical and cultural significance of numbers. He is a great-grandson of the writer and statesman John Buchan (first Lord Tweedsmuir), whose definitive thrillers, among them The Thirty-Nine Steps and Greenmantle, have been bestsellers for many years; The Thirty-Nine Steps has been filmed three times - memorably by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935, with Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll. A nephew of the highly regarded novelist James Buchan and the gardening writer and journalist Ursula Buchan, he is also related to the bestselling novelist Elizabeth Buchan. In short, books are in his blood, although he makes no claim for his own writing as against the works of his distinguished relations. This, his first book, shows that numbers are also in his blood; not only did John Buchan write The Thirty-Nine Steps, but among his other novels are The Three Hostages and The House of the Four Winds.

From the Back Cover

From mythology, religion and maths to science, language and fiction, this informative guide explores the intriguing, occasionally bizarre and often humorous world of numbers.

For those who know numbers – and those who don’t – As Easy As Pi uncovers the fascinating lore and information behind the numbers that shape our world.

‘Astonishingly comprehensive for its size, this little book is wonderfully addictive’ – The Good Book Guide

‘Fascinating ... as much for those who hated maths at school as it is for those who love numbers’ – The Lady

Edition details

• Publisher: Michael O'Mara
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 178243433X
• ISBN 13: 9781782434337
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 176