The Math Gene: How Mathematical Thinking Evolved and Why Numbers Are Like Gossip

Devlin, Keith

ISBN 10: 0465016189 / ISBN 13: 9780465016181

Published by Basic Books, 2000

About this Item

Minor wear and creasing. Seller Inventory # mon0003479783

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Math Gene: How Mathematical Thinking ...

Publisher: Basic Books

Publication Date: 2000

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis:

The author of The Language of Mathematics: Making the Invisible Visible introduces a new theory of language development to explain why some people learn to do math while others do not. 25,000 first printing.

Review:

For many, the mere word "mathematics" is enough to conjure up memories of incomprehension at school, and fear and loathing ever afterwards. Countless otherwise well-educated people see mathematics as the skeleton in their intellectual cupboard--the one key subject demanding a talent that they so obviously did not possess.

Or so it seems to anyone who has felt very much on the outside of the subject. British mathematician Keith Devlin is certainly on the inside--and in The Maths Gene he has wonderful news for everyone: we can all join him there. For Devlin argues that we all possess the ability to cope with mathematics, if only we recognise what's required. While a number of recent books, notably Stanislas Dehaene's The Number Sense, have focused on numerical ability, the scope of Devlin's book is much larger. He examines the evidence that we all possess, if not literally a gene, then at least an inherent ability not just for arithmetic but for real mathematics: algebra, calculus and the rest. Devlin even puts forward a Darwinian explanation for the origin of this ability, based on the idea that being able to handle abstract ideas and relationships confers key evolutionary advantages. Mathematics merely involves a relatively high level of abstraction--but one we can all cope with, if we work at it: "Doing mathematics is very much like running a marathon", says Devlin. "It does not require any special talent, and 'finishing' is largely a matter of wanting to succeed". In its wealth of wonderful examples supporting the central argument, The Maths Gene bears comparison with Steve Pinker's The Language Instinct and its plain common sense about this most misunderstood of subjects is truly inspirational. Thoroughly recommended for anyone seeking to rid their intellectual cupboard of the skeleton of mathematical "incompetence". --Robert Matthews