In this book, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Lindsey Nyx Walker take readers on a cosmic adventure, starting from Earth and traveling to the far reaches of the universe. The book combines science, mythology, history, and literature, making complex astrophysical concepts understandable and entertaining. It covers topics such as the Big Bang, black holes, time travel, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, while also comparing scientific facts with their portrayal in Hollywood blockbusters.
In *How to Bake Pi*, Eugenia Cheng provides an accessible introduction to the logic and beauty of mathematics, using insights from the kitchen to explain sophisticated math concepts. The book explores mathematical principles through everyday examples, including cooking and other real-world scenarios, and delves into category theory, a branch of mathematics that formalizes mathematical structure and its concepts.
In 'Is Math Real?', Eugenia Cheng delves into the nature of mathematics, arguing that it is driven by human curiosity and the pursuit of understanding. The book challenges the conventional approach to math education, emphasizing the importance of asking seemingly naive questions to uncover deeper truths. Cheng explores how math intersects with logic, intuition, and real-world applications, making the subject accessible and engaging for a broad audience.
In this book, Eugenia Cheng explores the concept of mathematical logic and its limitations in a post-truth world. Cheng, a mathematician, explains how logic sometimes falls prey to emotion and why combining logical and emotional reasoning is vital for clear thinking and effective communication. The book covers the basics of logic, argumentation, and emotion, using humor and illustrative examples to make the concepts accessible. It emphasizes the importance of using both logic and emotional appeal to find common ground, particularly in divisive times.
In 'Bake Infinite Pie with X + Y', Eugenia Cheng and Amber Ren create a delightful story where two characters, X and Y, dream of baking infinite pie with the help of Aunt Z. The book uses baking as a metaphor to teach simple mathematical concepts, making math enjoyable and non-intimidating for children. It includes a recipe for Banana Butterscotch Pie and explanations of the math concepts explored.
In 'x + y', Eugenia Cheng uses insights from higher-dimensional mathematics to propose a new way of discussing gender, patriarchy, and sexism. She introduces the concepts of 'ingressive' and 'congressive' behaviors to shift the focus from gender to character traits, aiming to create a more inclusive society. The book offers a radical perspective on how to rethink gender and societal structures.
In 'Molly and the Mathematical Mysteries', Eugenia Cheng and Aleksandra Artymowska take readers on an interactive journey through a world of mathematical wonders. Molly navigates through inverted spaces, impossible staircases, and mazes, solving puzzles and uncovering clues that lead her deeper into the mysteries of mathematics. The book combines imaginative storytelling with interactive elements like flaps and puzzles to make learning math fun and engaging.
Read the full transcript here.
What should the goals of math education be? What does it mean to "think well"? Is math real? Why are feelings of bewilderment or confusion so common in math classes but not as common in other subjects? Schools now generally offer reading and writing instruction separately — even though both are important for language use — because the skill sets they require can differ so widely; so how might math education benefit from drawing a similar distinction? What should math classes impart to students that will enable them to engage as citizens with complex or controversial issues? What does it mean to ask good questions in math? Can math teach empathy? What is category theory? Can most people learn most things if they just have the right teacher and/or educational materials?
Eugenia Cheng is a mathematician, educator, author, public speaker, columnist, concert pianist, composer, and artist. She is Scientist In Residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She won tenure in Pure Mathematics at the University of Sheffield, UK, and is now Honorary Visiting Fellow at City, University of London. She has previously taught at the Universities of Cambridge, Chicago, and Nice, and holds a PhD in pure mathematics from the University of Cambridge. Alongside her research in Category Theory and undergraduate teaching, her aim is to rid the world of "math phobia". Eugenia was an early pioneer of math on YouTube, and her videos have been viewed around 15 million times to date. She has also written several books, including: How to Bake Pi (2015); Beyond Infinity (2017); The Art of Logic (2018); x + y : A Mathematician's Manifesto for Rethinking Gender (2020); The Joy of Abstraction: A Exploration of Math, Category Theory, and Life (2022); Is Math Real? How Simple Questions Lead Us to Mathematics' Deepest Truths (2023); and two children's books: Molly and the Mathematical Mysteries and Bake Infinite Pie with x + y. She also writes the "Everyday Math" column for the Wall Street Journal and has completed mathematical art commissions for Hotel EMC2, 6018 North, the Lubeznik Center, and the Cultural Center, Chicago. She is the founder of the Liederstube, an intimate oasis for art song based in Chicago. As a composer she has been commissioned by GRAMMY-nominated soprano Laura Strickling and is one of the composers for the LYNX Amplify series, setting work by autistic poets who are primarily non-speaking. Learn more about her at her website, eugeniacheng.com.
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