IN THE past few years Marcus du Sautoy has often appeared in the media, popularising mathematics and explaining its wonders and relevancies to everyday life. The Number Mysteries is a delightful expansion of this, particularly of his material from the UK鈥檚 Royal Institution Christmas lectures in 2006. It is packed with puzzles and anecdotes.
Du Sautoy shows how mathematical canniness can help in everything from calculating the best properties on the Monopoly board to pursuing fame and fortune, and even how to break the world record for visiting all London Underground stations as quickly as possible. But alongside the breezier aspects of recreational mathematics, he describes the greatest unsolved mathematical challenges and doesn鈥檛 shy away from the odd equation or challenging proof. Du Sautoy has established himself as a most worthy successor to the late author Martin Gardner, who did much to popularise mathematics.
The Number Mysteries: A mathematical odyssey through everyday life
Fourth Estate