Mathematical Mysteries: The Beauty and Magic of Numbers

By Calvin C. Clawson

Book Overview

Why seemingly unrelated mathematical truths are connected in simple and beautiful equations continues to stump even mathematicians. This recreational math book takes the reader on a fantastic voyage into the world of natural numbers. From the earliest discoveries of the ancient Greeks to various fundamental characteristics of the natural number sequence, Clawson explains fascinating mathematical mysteries in clear and easy prose. He delves into the heart of number theory to see and understand the exquisite relationships among natural numbers, and ends by exploring the ultimate mystery of mathematics: the Riemann hypothesis, which says that through a point in a plane, no line can be drawn parallel to a given line.While a professional mathematician's treatment of number theory involves the most sophisticated analytical tools, its basic ideas are surprisingly easy to comprehend. By concentrating on the meaning behind various equations and proofs and avoiding technical refinements, Mathematical Mysteries lets the common reader catch a glimpse of this wonderful and exotic world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738202592
• ISBN13: 9780738202594
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Westview Publishing
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Clawson is a Genius

Calvin Clawson’s unique and unparalleled ability to make mathematics fun and interesting to all of us—no matter our education level—is a rare gift in an educator. An awesome and well-crafted read!

Excellent introduction to number theory

This book is a gentle introduction to number theory. The material covered here is absolutely fascinating. Once you get into the text you will be hooked. Although I have read other stuff in this genre what is different about this book is that the author does not shun from giving you equations that explain the IDEA and BEAUTY behind the numbers. This book will give you hours of absolute delight. Excellent work.

Study Guide

I was a student of Mr. Clawson's, and highly recommend any student of his to use this book as a study guide.

Superb book by a highly intuitive author

This book is superbly written by a highly intuitive author. The author knows how to connect to his intended readers. Book is highly informative and the equations are well defined and explained. Once you read a few pages, you are hooked. I just hope that Mr. Calvin C. Clawson will write more books on Mathematics, he will be doing a great service to would-be-mathematicians like me. More power to you sir!

One of the best books about math that I have read.

Clawson writes with refreshing enthusiasm and really conveys how much fun it can be to explore the nature of mathematics. Although there are many equations in the book, Clawson uses them not only to help the readers understand the mathematical ideas, but also to show how truly great mathematicians can come up with extremely elegant expressions to describe what at first would seem to be completely unmanageable concepts.

A great read for mathematicians and non-mathematicians alike

Imagine a book that takes you by the hand and leads you through the intricate and exotic world of mathematics, and does require that you know advanced mathematics. THIS IS THAT BOOK! Written in a clear, almost conversational style, this book is a wonderful choice for readers from all types of mathematical backgrounds. Even those who only had high school algebra can read and UNDERSTAND the mathematics presented in this book. It takes the seemingly separate and distinct pieces from different areas of math and ties them together into a nice, clean book. Moreover, you won't spend weeks reading this. It's reads easily, and takes about a week to complete. Chapter by chapter or skipping around, everyone is bound to get something out of this one!