Mathematics

Eddie Woo Super Sleuth is ready for action and mystery. With a mind for maths and a nose for adventure, he is about to skateboard into ... danger. When Eddie receives a cryptic message from Mr Appleby, a Woo family friend and resident of Sunny Side Aged Care, he is soon on a miss...ion to thwart the evil plans of smugglers. It's up to Eddie to crack the clues and improve his skateboarding so that he can enter the annual school Triple Threat Quest with his best friends Rusty and DT.
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We have never had so much information at our fingertips and yet most of us don't know how the world really works. This book explains seven of the most fundamental realities governing our survival and prosperity. From energy and food production, through our material world and its ...globalization, to risks, our environment and its future, How the World Really Works offers a much-needed reality check - because before we can tackle problems effectively, we must understand the facts. In this ambitious and thought-provoking book we see, for example, that globalization isn't inevitable and that our societies have been steadily increasing their dependence on fossil fuels, making their complete and rapid elimination unlikely. Vaclav Smil is neither a pessimist nor an optimist, he is a scientist; he is the world-leading expert on energy and an astonishing polymath. This is his magnum opus and is a continuation of his quest to make facts matter. Drawing on the latest science, including his own fascinating research, and tackling sources of misinformation head on - from Yuval Noah Harari to Noam Chomsky - ultimately Smil answers the most profound question of our age- are we irrevocably doomed or is a brighter utopia ahead?
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What is an imaginary number? Can two parallel lines ever meet? How can maths help us predict the future? Charting the development of maths around the world from Babylon to Bletchley Park, this book explores big questions like these and explains how the answers help us understand ...everything from patterns in nature to artificial intelligence. Written in clear English, The Maths Book is packed with short, pithy explanations that cut through the jargon, step-by-step diagrams that untangle knotty theories, memorable quotes, and witty illustrations that play with our ideas about numbers. This diverse and inclusive account of mathematics offers insights into the maths behind world economies and espionage. But it also traces the history of maths, from ancient ideas such as magic squares and the abacus to modern cryptography, fractals, and the final proof of Fermat's Last Theorem. Continuing the "Big Ideas" series' trademark combination of authoritative, clear text and bold graphics, The Maths Book uses an innovative visual approach to make the subject accessible to everyone, whether you're an avid student or just curious about maths.
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In the twenty-first century, humanity is reaching new heights of scientific understanding - and at the same time appears to be losing its mind. How can a species that discovered vaccines for Covid-19 in less than a year produce so much fake news, quack cures and conspiracy theori...zing? In Rationality, Pinker rejects the cynical cliche that humans are simply an irrational species. After all, we discovered the laws of nature, lengthened and enriched our lives and set the benchmarks for rationality itself. Instead, he explains, we think in ways that suit the low-tech contexts in which we spend most of our lives, but fail to take advantage of the powerful tools of reasoning we have built up over millennia- logic, critical thinking, probability, and decision-making under uncertainty. These tools are not a standard part of our educational curricula, and have never been presented clearly and entertainingly in a single book - until now. Rationality matters. It leads to better choices in our lives and in the public sphere, and is the ultimate driver of social justice and moral progress. Brimming with insight and humour, Rationality will enlighten, inspire and empower.
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Incredible historical stories explore the often surprising origins of the maths we use today, from number sequences to coordinates. Crazy facts, magic tricks, and mathematical brainteasers will amuse and entertain even the most reluctant math students. Find out why an hour has 60... rather than 100 minutes and how codes keep our secrets safe. Colourful and uncluttered illustrations make mathematical explanations easy to grasp in seconds and make this user-friendly book simple to navigate and a joy to browse and read. What's the Point of Maths? is perfect for those who need some inspiration when it comes to numbers. It combines stories from history with simple visual explanations to bring maths to life. From measuring a pyramid to predicting comets, from counting like the Babylonians to becoming a trillionaire, it shows children why core maths ideas were discovered and invented and how to apply them today - in the classroom and the real world! Accompanying the fascinating stories are puzzles, games, and amazing facts, as well as a lively challenge to help bring each of the topics to life. Stylish, colourful illustrations make the maths fun and unintimidating, while simple diagrams and steps make explanations easy to grasp in seconds. Throughout the book, worked examples show readers how to solve simple maths challenges, encouraging children to improve their maths skills with hands-on practice.
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