HACKER Q&A
📣 vriendspookstem

Casual Math Book Suggestions


I want to start studying and exploring math for a hobby. I had Engineering mathematics during University days, and also enjoy discovering interesting computer science algorithms. Looking for interesting, engaging books that don't require toooo much thinking.


  👤 calstad Accepted Answer ✓
These fall more in the "pop-sci" realm, but I think are really good at trying to convey what kinds of things working mathematicians actually think about:

- Colossal Book of Mathematics by Martin Gardner: Uses games and recreational math to introduce areas like group theory and topology.

- Finding Moonshine by Marcus Du Sautoy: Tells the story of the unexpected connection between two areas of math that, on the surface, seem to be completely unrelated.

- The Great Mathematical Problems by Ian Stewart: Does a good job explaining several of the major open problems in math today.


👤 Davidbrcz
Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth is a graphic novel about the foundational quest in mathematics

👤 nbernard
I enjoyed T. W. Körner's The Pleasures of Counting ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521568234 ).

👤 bpmedley
I’ve read about 15% - 20% of Imaginary Numbers are Real. It’s a great book, so far.

https://www.welchlabs.com/resources/imaginary-numbers-are-re...


👤 fiftyacorn
Not a book but I like watching the numberphile youtube channel. I got into it after they done some videos making an enigma machine in python

👤 vismit2000
The Lost Art of Logarithms: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43356314

👤 joshp11235
How not to be wrong