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  • Published: 7 January 2021
  • ISBN: 9780241507582
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 224

Math Without Numbers

  • Milo Beckman



A witty, illustrated tour of the structures and patterns of mathematics from a math prodigy

The only numbers in this book are the page numbers.

Math Without Numbers is a vivid and wholly original guide to the three main branches of abstract math - topology, analysis, and algebra - which turn out to be surprisingly easy to grasp. Milo Beckerman upends the conventional approach to mathematics, inviting you to think creatively about shape and dimension, the infinite and infinitesimal, symmetries, proofs, and how these concepts all fit together. How many shapes are there? Is anything bigger than infinity? And can mathematics even be described as 'true'?

  • Published: 7 January 2021
  • ISBN: 9780241507582
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 224

Praise for Math Without Numbers

Genius: an entire book about mathematics in which the only digits are the page numbers. . . fresh, delightful and extremely accessible

Alex Bellos, Guardian

Beckman's book is not only fascinating and enthralling but also one I actually kept my eyes open long enough to finish (in part because - and this is a massively underrated virtue in popular science books - it is short)

Tom Whipple, The Times

This guide to the maths we didn't get taught at school is full of fascinating revelations

Manjit Kumar, The Times

A cheerful, chatty, and charming trip through the world of mathematics and its relation to the world of people - and not a number in sight! Everyone should read this delightful book. Even mathematicians

Ian Stewart, author of Do Dice Play God?

One of those wonderful books you'll want to tell everyone about

Ananyo Bhattacharya, author of The Man from the Future

So delightful! Mathematics is playful, surprising, and enchanting, but those qualities are often obscured behind intimidating equations and formalism. Milo Beckman brings them out into the open for everyone to share.

Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply Hidden

With charm, unwavering enthusiasm, and a lot of cartoons, Math Without Numbers waltzes the reader through a garden of higher mathematics

Jordan Ellenberg, author of How Not To Be Wrong

Math Without Numbers explores deep mathematical topics -- and shows how mathematicians think-in completely readable prose. The puzzles and games are bonuses. Very enjoyable

Will Shortz, crossword editor, The New York Times

A playful paean to the pleasures of studying higher math ... readers with an abundance of curiosity and the time to puzzle over Beckman's many examples, riddles, and questions, will make many fascinating discoveries

Publishers Weekly

The book's accessible language and illustrations makes understanding some of the most complex (and possibly most intimidating) math concepts feel as effortless as breathing. Beckman's approachable writing and Erazo's delightful illustration combine to tell an insightful and entertaining story about math

Giorgia Lupi and Stefanie Posavec, co-authors of Dear Data

This is the book for you if you've ever been curious about the wonderful ideas and concepts underlying modern math, but been too frightened to make a start. Milo Beckman gives us a friendly introduction to unfamiliar concepts and ideas that show why modern math is such a fascinating and rewarding branch of human thought

Graham Farmelo, author of The Universe Speaks in Numbers

Math Without Numbers offers an accessible and whimsically illustrated glimpse of what pure mathematicians study, all while capturing the playful spirit with which they do it

Grant Sanderson, creator of 3blue1brown

I was hooked. . . what is delightful about the book is the vivid clarity

Tim Harford