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Maths Tricks To Blow Your Mind: A Journey Through Viral Maths by Kyle D. Evans

James B.'s Recommendation for the 510 Club | September 2024

 

Maths Tricks To Blow Your Mind is an interesting read and guide for anyone frustrated by maths puzzles that have gone wild on social media in recent years such as:

 

• What is 4% of 75?

• Can you calculate 60 + 60 x 0 + 1 ?

• Which is bigger, an 18-inch pizza or two 12-inch pizzas? 

 

This book is much more than just settling the debate on BODMAS. Evans looks into why social media is hooked on these types of puzzles, yet so many people still get them wrong, and why they go viral.

All puzzles are explained in an easy to understand, light-hearted and amusing way.

The maths is simple and easy enough for anyone to follow through, yet the book is still a throughly engaging read for maths lovers.

My favourite puzzles from the book included spelling out numbers on a clock face and "What space number is the car parked in?" (see below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE 510 CLUB?

The 510 Club is named after the Dewey Decimal classification for Mathematics. It is a book recommendation project facilitated by Mathateca that is published in the monthly Christchurch MathsJam newsletter and on the Facebook page. Each month we feature a mathematical book recommendation, whether that’s a novel, articles / essays, a puzzle book, textbook, biography... just as long as it features maths in some way. Read the above book at your leisure then feel free to comment your thoughts below, or come along to the following Christchurch MathsJam sessions to join in an informal maths/book chat with the reviewer.

We're always looking for suggestions! If you're interested in contributing a book rec one month, please email christchurch@mathsjam.com to sign up.