The Big Bang Of Numbers by Manil Suri

 

I don't read much non-fiction but when I do it tends to be science based. Having taught Maths at secondary school level (11 to 16 years old) for 35 years I was tempted by the claim that The Big Bang Of Numbers is for "maths aficionados and an accessible introduction for enthusiastic novices".

Author Manil Suri wants readers to stop thinking of maths as simply the arithmetic processes we are taught in school and use in our day to day lives. To view maths in a completely different way.

We are all familiar with the creation theories given by religion or physics. Manil Suri approaches creation from the perspective of numbers. He starts by simply asking where numbers come from? From a creation point of view this isn't as easy to answer as you would first think. If nothing exists numbers don't develop as a means of counting objects (since objects don't exist). 

The creation of numbers initially is very abstract, however the author then leads the reader through a natural evolution of the number system. From natural (counting numbers) we develop integers (positive and negative numbers), on to rational numbers (fractions and decimals) and then irrational numbers (such as pi). The concept of imaginary numbers is introduced in a very accessible way.

Once numbers have been created we then move on to how geometry would develop. Where possible practical examples are given to illustrate ideas, I particularly liked the use of crochet to explain the hyperbolic plane.

From geometry we moved on to algebra. Not the "find the value of x" type of algebra from school but the language used to construct laws and patterns. These laws can then be used as building blocks to construct our universe.

Overall this is an interesting addition to the genre of popular science. More philosophical argument than mathematical text. You do not need an advanced maths qualification to get something out of The Big Bang Of Numbers, however you do need to be comfortable using numbers. 

The Big Bang Of Numbers by Manil Suri will be published in hardback and ebook on 27th October 2022. My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Books for a review copy.