Maths Tricks to Blow Your Mind: A Journey Through Viral Maths

Description

From the infamous 'Hannah's sweets' exam question to percentages 'life-hacks', viral mathsproblems seem to capture the public's imagination without fail. This is often because they blowpeople's minds with their logic, or there are multiple answers, or no answer or at all, or theyare just generally wacky. The same people who will openly celebrate that they 'never gotmaths' will fight tooth and nail with their Auntie on Facebook over whether the answer to 60 +60 x 0 + 1 is 61 or 1 (it's 61, by the way.). Why do friends and relatives who would glaze over in a maths lesson pile into a discussion withstrangers on social media over why the grey elephant comes from Denmark? Maths teacherand award-winning science communicator Kyle D Evans wants to explore exactly what it isabout viral social media puzzles that is so appealing. Maths Tricks to Blow Your Mind presents 50 or so viral maths problems from recent years withbackground information, explanations and solutions to similar problems, all in a humorous,accessible and inclusive manner. Want to dazzle and delight your friends and family? This book shows you how!

Kyle D Evans is a maths teacher and award-winning maths presenter and entertainer. In 2016 he was crowned UK champion of Famelab, an international competition run by Cheltenham Science Festival to find the best new voices in science communication. He regularly gives talks (and sings) about maths at schools, festivals and comedy clubs around the UK, as well as presenting to large crowds of teenagers at events such as Maths Inspiration. He is passionate about increasing the mathematical literacy of children and adults.

A chirpy guide to the most shared maths nuggets on the internet. -- Alex Bellos, author of ALEX'S ADVENTURES IN NUMBERLAND A cornucopia of numerical tricks and other quirky delights. I loved it. -- Tim Harford, author of HOW TO MAKE THE WORLD ADD UP With wit and wisdom, Kyle Evans has compiled what is - literally - the most popular maths on the planet. And he's brought new insights and back stories to many old favourites. -- Rob Eastaway, author of MATHS ON THE BACK OF AN ENVELOPE