Mostly anecdotes about math or engineering errors that had real-world consequences. As someone with a background in math, I didn't feel like I got a lot out of it, but it was kind of fun anyway. ( )

Matt Parker's Humble Pi is exactly what it says in its subtitle, a comedy of maths errors. Parker takes a look at different errors that are related to mathematics and they largely stem from the areas of programming and engineering.

I like the statement that mathematicians are not specifically people who find maths easy, they are just people who enjoy how hard it is. Having seen how hard higher mathematics can be, I can relate to that. If you are willing to engage with the problems and give mathematics a chance, you can always get something out of it and solving problems can be quite rewarding actually. This is probably an attitude that many people do not have anymore as it commands a lot of attention and focus. As for the book, I found the stories Parker had to tell quite interesting and they made for a fun and breezy read. 4.5 stars. ( )

There are some great quotes from this book that I have read/plan on reading to my university calculus classes (who are mostly non-majors).

"All humans are stupid when it comes to learning formal mathematics. This is the process of taking what evolution has given us and extending our skills beyond what is reasonable. We were not born with any kind of ability to intuitively understand fractions, negative numbers, or the many other strange concepts developed by mathematics, but, over time, your brain can slowly learn how to deal with them. We now have school systems that force students to study math and, through enough exposure, our brains can learn to think mathematically. But if those skills cease to be used, the human brain will quickly return to factory settings." - Pg. 307

"Because we all make mistakes. Relentlessly. And that is nothing to be feared. Many people I speak to say that, when they were in at school, they were put off mathematics because they simply didn't get it. But half the challenge of learning mathematics is accepting that you may not be naturally good at it, but if you put the effort in, you can learn it." - Pg. 7

" 'Mathematicians aren't people who find math easy; they're people who enjoy how hard it is.' " - Pg. 7 ( )

A fun read from an author that has an amazing enthusiasm for maths and is a great storyteller. ( )

As a connoisseur of fine mistakes, I was happy to find Matt Parker’s book. I knew him from YouTube where he broadcasts the same type of content. He is a mathematics teacher and comedian, and I thought this book was about as good as something like this can be. I can’t tell you too much about it or it would spoil all the great mistakes (although there are a few that you’ve probably heard of), but I was entertained to hear that the German police were searching for a serial killer for years. Her DNA turned up at every crime scene. They eventually learned that the DNA belonged to a woman who worked at the factory that made the cotton swabs they were using. ( )