For many of us, mathematics is a subject to be feared— a daunting world of schoolroom numbers and equations. Yet we often wish in everyday life that we could remember all those handy mathematical tools and tips that were once explained to us— Maths Squared provides the bite-sized solution. Everybody knows and understands Pythagoras’ theorem and pi, but Maths Squared introduces you to the world of Einstein’ s relativity theory, Euclidean geometry, and the butterfly effect.
Maths Squared is an ideal reintroduction to the mysterious and magical world of numbers. Across 10 chapters and 100 topics, it takes you on a whistlestop tour from the essentials of numbers and arithmetic to the strange outer limits where mathematics and philosophy merge. Along the way, it looks at many of the key problems that have led to mathematical breakthroughs, and some of those which remain unsolved.
Using accessible yet authoritative text complimented by new color illustrations, infographics and photographs, Maths Squared is the ideal primer or refresher for those who want to learn more about the fascinating language of numbers and equations that describes the Universe.
RACHEL THOMAS and Marianne Freiberger are the editors of Plus magazine, which publishes articles from the world's top mathematicians and science writers on topics as diverse as art, medicine, cosmology and sport. They have co-authored the popular math book Numericon: A journey through the hidden lives of numbers, and were editors on the book 50: Visions of Mathematics. Between them they have over 20 years' experience writing about mathematics for a general audience.
Rachel Thomas and Marianne Freiberger are the editors of Plus magazine, which publishes articles from the world's top mathematicians and science writers on topics as diverse as art, medicine, cosmology and sport. Before joining Plus in 2001, Rachel was a math consultant in Australia working for government and industry. She recently edited the Gazette of the Australian Mathematical Society and has developed and taught science writing workshops for graduate students. She also created mathematical walking tours of London and Oxford and a virtual mathematical tour guide of the world for Maths in the City. Rachel obtained her MSc in Semigroup Theory in 1998 from the University of Western Australia. Marianne joined Plus in 2005 after completing a PhD and then a three year postdoc at Queen Mary, University of London. As a researcher she worked in complex dynamics and held various teaching engagements. In the world of math communication she has been Editor-in-Chief of the Mathscareers website and sometimes gives presentations to mathematicians about how to communicate their work to a wider audience, and to journalists about how to deal with math in the media.
