Texas Mathematics Teacher Fall/Winter 2019 - 11

Thinking in Numbers: A Book Review
Dr. Zachariah B. Hurdle

T

hinking in Numbers: On Life, Love, Meaning, and Math is
a straightforward, relatable piece on how mathematics
has influenced the history of the human race in both the
past and present. The 217-page book by writer, speaker,
and autistics savant Daniel Tammet was published in 2014
through Back Bay Books.
The book is split into 25 separate, unrelated topics.
Unrelated except for, of course, their shared ties to
mathematics. Formatted not as a textbook, but rather as a
collection of intriguing bedtime stories, Tammet describes
how mathematics has weaved into human history in
all phases. For mathematics teachers, perhaps some of
the ideas are obvious, but most of the topics go beyond
common knowledge and into the very fibers of how and
why mathematics is an exciting field.
One of the biggest strengths of this book is the structure.
The 25 chapters, essentially 25 essays all pushed together
into a single book, provide fun-sized ideas that the reader
can quickly consume and reflect at any point throughout
the day, especially as a wind-down at the end of the
workday. This is a particular strength for math teachers
(or teachers for any subject) that are constantly busy with
lesson planning and the numerous tasks involved in the
profession. While Tammet can occasionally pose more
philosophical ideas over mathematical ideas, this book
can potentially solidify a concrete history of the subject in
teachers of all grade levels.

Naturally, as with any book, a
few of the essays (particularly
"Snowman" and "A Model
Mother") can fall short of
expectations and generally
lose some of the focus that is
clearly present throughout
the novel. However, Tammet
is generally solid in his
presentation, and welcomes
the reader to experience the
excitement he garners from
the concepts he describes as
if to a friend. Armed with this knowledge, teachers can
battle the common accusation that "nobody uses math"
successfully, and strengthen their own understanding of
the subject as well. Below are just a few examples:
Is a student interested in space? Try the chapters
about attempts to reach out into the universe for a
response to the age-old question "are we alone?"
Is a student more into literature and fiction? Try the
chapters discussing Narnia and the logic behind
myths and stories.
Is a student a history buff? Try the chapters relating
the patterns of human history and war to statistical
analysis and integrated calculus.
Is a student showing an artistic side? Try the chapters
about the secrets and beauty of zero, prime numbers,
patterns and infinity.

who may be stifled
"inStudents
the process of solving for

variables may find room to voice
their thoughts and ideas over
some of the questions posed in
the readings.

"

www.txmathteachers.org

Is a student on their way to becoming a writer?
Try the chapters on Shakespeare, Pythagoras, and
countless others using mathematics in successful
speeches.
Each essay, while consistently short and to the point, is
packed full of information, thought-provoking ideas, and
philosophical questions and quotes that leave the reader
thinking long after they have put the book down. This is
not mathematics in the sense of formulas and equations;
rather it focuses on the philosophy and logic behind
studying such things at all. A particularly fantastic section,
titled "On Big Numbers," discusses the levels of perceived
importance in the ability to quantify what appears to be
unquantifiable. For example, when does a number get so
large it is simply considered enormous, or too large to
bother counting? At what exact number is this considered
a task too large and unworthy of pursuit? If the answer
is never, then all numbers can be considered small
numbers, and are therefore worthy of inclusion to our
counting system.
Fall/Winter 2019 | 11
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Texas Mathematics Teacher Fall/Winter 2019

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