Is Maths Real? How Simple Questions Lead Us to Mathematics’ Deepest Truths by Eugenia ChengMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this book the author wants to let people know that if you hate math it's more likely because of the way you were taught. In fact, if there are things that don't make sense to you and you've asked "dumb questions" then you probably think more like professional mathematicians.
I found this book through to Ali Ward's Ologies podcast
Dr. Cheng talks about many mathematical concepts with an explanation of why and how mathematicians come up with concepts. I was blown away in the section "why is 1 + 1 = 2" because it turns the question on its head. We should think about "When does 1 + 1 not equal 2" for example, when you are painting, if you have one color, adding another color gives you a new combined color, not two colors, in this case 1 + 1 = 1. So then a good definition of *when* does 1 + 1 = 2 is in order.
I like that Dr. Cheng hates it when people try to use math to make themselves sound smarter as if knowing these things makes you a better, superior person somehow (it does not, it's your character)
I liked the little commentary on current events sprinkled here and there, I suppose that some people will balk at that, that's fine by me.
I didn't like that the material for me was introductory, I didn't walk about with new mathematical theory (well, at the end she goes into her category theory research) but it's an introductory book aimed at people who don't do math.
Overall, this is an excellent book. Highly recommend it. Math if for you and for all of us.
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