The Math Book (DK Big Ideas) Paperback

With a strong Physics and Engineering background everything gets REALLY complex and mathematical very quickly when trying to explain some of the concepts. What this style of books does is remind you of some of the basic principles without maths, allowing me to talk to my kids about the things in science that I'm passionate about.Some of the topics are a little skimmed over, but to be fair they still explain the importance of the ideas. We have the Physics, Technology, and Maths books. All a great style, easily accessible and my 11YO daughter can happily browse without help as the writing style is perfect for her Harry Potter level lexicon.Across the 3 books we have, some highlights:Maths: Fourier analysis (weak explanation but conveys the message well), Group theory and the rubix cube, number theory and development.Technology: Central Heating systems, Helicopters, Lasers, The Internet, Locks, hydraulicsPhysics: Quantum field theory (written SO well), nuclear power and bombs, RelatviityAs I said, some incredibly important topics that permeate or lives but kids never get access too until they're grown ups. These books help provide the context for amazing scientific and mathematical discoveries. Stay with me here, but I believe that scientific fields have now advanced so far into areas completely inaccessible to the lay person that a sense of distrust and knowledge elitism has overwhelmed the amazing work our human society is doing. So what these books do amazingly well is help to bridge this gap, and help any reader to feel like the topics are more inclusive to them. And this is what great writing and education is all about. (Sorry, rant over).

Important to say this is NOT a how to do maths book.Nevertheless it's a brilliant story of maths from ancient times to the 21st century. All the major figures are here along with their discoveries. A biography of maths. If you love maths it's indispensable.

Shows the basics and paints an overall picture that wakens interest for everyone.

Takes me back to university days and demonstrated how much I had forgotten. Simultaneous equations, binomial theorem. Enjoying the journey

Comprehensive and well written, charting and explaining the development of mathematical concepts from antiquity to the present day. Not a book I imagine most people would read in one sitting, but nevertheless an interesting book to dip into.

Another excellent edition from DK, who always produce quality non-fiction works. This is an excellent primer for the subject and very well designed and balanced in content. Shall be consulting this for many years to come, along with all the others in the series!

This is very comprehensive book and worth buying. It does not however explain Maths in a Simple way (as it is advertised). This isn't because it's a bad book, but becuase it covers complicated topics. Be prepared to do extra reading to get to the bottom of some of the topics. There is a lot of use of terminology which is baffling, and I spent alot of time looking up definitions (which still don't make sense to me). The book has definitely succeeded in sparking my curiosity on Maths and wanting to know more. You can pick up this book and read a few topics per day and it's not intimidating. The Physics book in this range did a better job at explaining Big ideas. I have since ordered the Cosmology book.Update - I've finished this book and now lowered the rating to a three. It actually made me quite annoyed that some of the authors used so so much terminology and jargon in a book that is supposed to explain ideas 'simply'. I think the editor should have been stricter

Good book for basic knowledge of Mathematics! You can not find better bcs another for too simple or too complicated!