Pluses and Minuses: How Math Solves Our Problems

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Pluses and Minuses: How Math Solves Our Problems


"Pluses and Minuses: How Math Solves Our Problems" by Stefan Buijsman is a thought provoking book about the role of Mathematics in our daily life.

The book starts with examples of Google Map and Netflix to present that Maths is not only an abstract exercise in a classroom but also closely related with us everyday. Following that, it describes how human being interpret Maths and its development along the history in various cultures.

The later chapters demonstrate about the history and applications of two advanced topics, Calculus and Probability. The last topic is about graph theory and explores its usage in navigation, streaming service, cancer treatment and social media.

The last chapter is not only a conclusion but also rethinks the nature of Maths and how we correctly and mistakenly apply it in our daily experiences.

While the book contains a few content describing Maths formula and theorems in this book, it primarily focuses on the interactions between Maths and human being, including historical context, cultural significance, and practical uses. They sound quite engaging. They also reflect how deeply the author understands Maths in the position of our society.

One more thing I learnt from this book is how to illustrate some complex concept, e.g. a brand new system solution, to audience regardless of their background. Like this book, we can start an immediate example which is related with the concept, then trace what if the concept is not in place, some stories of its development (not a big bang, not a surprise) and behind the scenes, and finally bring out how the complication leads opportunity. This approach is to package the new concept to sound easier, familiar and more pleasant.

In summary, this book is such captivating and accessible that effectively bridges the gap between Maths and our everyday life. The author is able to connect mathematical concepts with real-world examples, historical context, and cultural significance makes this book a compelling read for anyone interested in understanding the pervasive role of mathematics in our society.



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