This book provides a fun, hands-on approach to learning how mathematics and computing relate to the world around us and help us to better understand it. How can reposting on Twitter kill a movie’s opening weekend? How can you use mathematics to find your celebrity look-alike? What is Homer Simpson’s method for disproving Fermat’s Last Theorem? Each topic in this refreshingly inviting book illustrates a famous mathematical algorithm or result—such as Google’s PageRank and the traveling salesman problem—and the applications grow more challenging as you progress through the chapters. But don’t worry, helpful solutions are provided each step of the way.
Math Bytes shows you how to do calculus using a bag of chocolate chips, and how to prove the Euler characteristic simply by doodling. Generously illustrated in color throughout, this lively and entertaining book also explains how to create fractal landscapes with a roll of the dice, pick a competitive bracket for March Madness, decipher the math that makes it possible to resize a computer font or launch an Angry Bird—and much, much more. All of the applications are presented in an accessible and engaging way, enabling beginners and advanced readers alike to learn and explore at their own pace—a bit and a byte at a time.
Awards and Recognition
- Winner of the Euler Book Prize, Mathematical Association of America
- One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2014
"[Math Bytes] manages to fulfill its aim of providing a 'tasty byte of math and computing' while following a clear, concise, and to-the-point format. . . . [P]rovides interesting insights to some of the complex, highly sophisticated algorithms that lie behind some of our most widely used technological resources."—Rachael Skyner, Science
"The author's humanistic, sincere enjoyment of communicating his selections permeates and I think defines the book. . . . The choice of topics and exposition details make the book entertainingly relevant."—Alexander Bogomolny, Cut the Knot
"Math Bytes is fun and full of puzzles and brainteasers in a mashup of mathematics, social media, and pop culture referencing Beyoncé, Google, and Twitter among others. . . . This reviewer is simply a fool for math puzzles (though some readers might stop at simply a fool). Math Bytes scratches that itch quite nicely."—Robert Schaefer, New York Journal of Books
"Printed on glossy paper and filled with colourful photographs, illustrations and diagrams on nearly every page, this book discusses mathematical ideas that can help us make sense of the digital world. The author's offbeat viewpoint comes from a truly unusual background; he studied mime with the legendary Marcel Marceau whilst pursuing his doctorate in applied maths."—Devorah Bennu, GrrlScientist
"Tim Chartier, a professor of mathematics at Davidson College, has put together a delightful book of recreational mathematics. His presentation of a large array of topics is accompanied by excellent graphics, many in color. . . . In sum, a fun book."—Philip J. Davis, SIAM News
"The mathematical topics are interesting and informative; if you teach at the college level, you are likely to find some interesting fodder for your courses here. You also may, as I did, learn some new things yourself. . . . This book, which is filled with photos, drawings, and anecdotes, is a treasure trove of amusing mathematical vignettes. It makes for very pleasant summer reading."—Mark Hunacek, MAA Reviews
"The reader is constantly challenged to think about it or answer certain questions and to solve some problems (some solutions are provided at the end). Most of all, it's such a lovely little booklet that does not give you the time to get bored with. The average chapter length, including the many illustrations, is only 10 pages. Just enough to catch your interest and get bitten by the mathematics."—A. Bultheel, European Mathematical Society
"For readers who love math, computing and puzzles, Math Bytes will be a welcome gift."—George Erdosh, San Francisco Book Review
"[L]ively and entertaining book. . . . All of the applications are presented in an accessible and engaging way, enabling beginners and advanced readers alike to learn and explore at their own pace—a bit and a byte at a time."—Zentralblatt MATH
"A mathematical Pandora's box released is perhaps the best way to describe this book. It overflows with ideas, flitting from one fascinating topic to the next, often without an apparent connection. The range is impressive. . . . Everyone should find a 'math byte' of interest in this book, and perhaps end up finding other topics of interest as well."—Choice
"I definitely learnt a few new things and was entertained as I did so. Furthermore, anything that spreads the message that mathematics is both interesting and useful has to be a good thing, so I wish this book success."—Rob Ashmore, Mathematics Today
"A fun collection of mathematical applications that has something for everyone, even mathphobes."—Anne Quinn, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
"The book would also be a good read for anyone who needs reaffirmation that the bedrock of computing is mathematics. The author makes this point in a vibrant and contemporary way."—Vincent Ting, Mathematical Gazette
"This is possibly the first book I’ve ever read which could truly be described as a ‘gem’. . . . I have rarely come across a book which crams so many ideas so well into so few pages, and it is full of delights."—Alasdair McAndrew, Gazette of the Australian Mathematical Society
"How can you tell, by just looking, that 178212 + 184112 = 192212 is not a true statement? When you search for something on the web, how does Google know how to respond with the most relevant hits first? Chartier tells you how in this book. Each new discussion illustrates the almost supernatural explanatory nature of mathematics, promising many hours of enjoyment."—Paul J. Nahin, author of Will You Be Alive 10 Years from Now?: And Numerous Other Curious Questions in Probability
"A magnificent and curious romp through a wonderful array of mathematical topics and applications: maze creation, Google's PageRank algorithm, doodling, the traveling salesman problem, math on The Simpsons, Fermat's Last Theorem, viral tweets, fractals, and so much more. Buy this book and feed your brain."—Clifford A. Pickover, author of The Math Book
"Math Bytes is a playful and inviting collection of interesting mathematical examples and applications, sometimes in surprising places. Many of these applications are unique or put a new spin on things. The link to computing helps make many of the topics tangible to a general audience."—Matt Lane, creator of the Math Goes Pop! Blog
"Readable and fun. There are few books like this one that engage with mathematics at this level of accessibility and tie into real-world contexts in a humorous yet rigorous way. Math Bytes reinforces the excitement of mathematics and its relevance to modern culture."—Peter McOwan, Queen Mary, University of London
