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Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension
A book from the stand-up mathematician that makes math fun again!
Math is boring, says the mathematician and comedian Matt Parker. Part of the problem may be the way the subject is taught, but it's also true that we all, to a greater or lesser extent, find math difficult and counterintuitive. This counterintuitiveness is actually part of the point, argues the extraordinary thing about math is that it allows us to access logic and ideas beyond what our brains can instinctively do—through its logical tools we are able to reach beyond our innate abilities and grasp more and more abstract concepts.
In the absorbing and exhilarating Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension, Parker sets out to convince his readers to revisit the very math that put them off the subject as fourteen-year-olds. Starting with the foundations of math familiar from school (numbers, geometry, and algebra), he reveals how it is possible to climb all the way up to the topology and to four-dimensional shapes, and from there to infinity—and slightly beyond.
Both playful and sophisticated, Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension is filled with captivating games and puzzles, a buffet of optional hands-on activities that entices us to take pleasure in math that is normally only available to those studying at a university level. Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension invites us to re-learn much of what we missed in school and, this time, to be utterly enthralled by it.
Math is boring, says the mathematician and comedian Matt Parker. Part of the problem may be the way the subject is taught, but it's also true that we all, to a greater or lesser extent, find math difficult and counterintuitive. This counterintuitiveness is actually part of the point, argues the extraordinary thing about math is that it allows us to access logic and ideas beyond what our brains can instinctively do—through its logical tools we are able to reach beyond our innate abilities and grasp more and more abstract concepts.
In the absorbing and exhilarating Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension, Parker sets out to convince his readers to revisit the very math that put them off the subject as fourteen-year-olds. Starting with the foundations of math familiar from school (numbers, geometry, and algebra), he reveals how it is possible to climb all the way up to the topology and to four-dimensional shapes, and from there to infinity—and slightly beyond.
Both playful and sophisticated, Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension is filled with captivating games and puzzles, a buffet of optional hands-on activities that entices us to take pleasure in math that is normally only available to those studying at a university level. Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension invites us to re-learn much of what we missed in school and, this time, to be utterly enthralled by it.
465 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2014
969 people are currently reading
11193 people want to read
About the author
Matt Parker
5Ìýbooks490ÌýfollowersMatt Parker is a former maths teacher who communicates about mathematics via YouTube videos, stand-up comedy, and books.
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 299 reviews
November 5, 2015
I first heard about this on Quirks & Quarks from CBC Radio. Then Josie, one of my Canadian friends still teaching in England, was filling me in on how she went to one of Matt Parker’s stand-up events and how awesome it was. When I informed her I had purchased a signed copy of Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension on the Internets, she was suitably envious. Not, however, as envious as I was for her singular stand-up experience—I don’t like stand-up, but I’d probably watch math stand-up.
Here’s my secret when reviewing math books: don’t focus on the math. Because, you know, anyone with a math degree can write about math. Writing about math is not hard. It’s making math accessible that’s hard. Now, that’s not because math is somehow more difficult for the average person to comprehend than any other highly-specialized field. We only have this perception as an unfortunate side-effect of our industrialized education system, which has traditionally insisted that we should learn math through rote memorization of rules.
Matt Parker rightly embraces a much more flexible idea about how we can learn math. Specifically, he champions recreational mathematics. That’s right, people: doing math for fun!
If you’re sceptical, I don’t blame you—see my point above about school systems. It’s really unfortunate we break people and squash their love of math so early like this. If I were better with young children I might consider becoming a primary school teacher to rectify this. As it is, my head stuck up here in the calculus clouds, I can only evangelize recreational math from afar.
See, we mathematicians know what people with a warped idea of math do not: mathematics is a creative discipline. Someone had to find the Fibonacci sequence, and they didn’t do it by looking at nature. Someone had to devise and name different dimensions of shapes. And mathematicians do this by investigating, by looking at what we already know and finding the gaps. Yes, they do this is a systematic way, and they have to do it rigorously before other mathematicians will agree with them. But a lot of mathematical discoveries have literally come about because of mathematicians just playing with numbers and shapes and ideas.
This idea pervades Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension, which is organized in such a way to progress from basic ideas about numbers to very abstract ideas about functions, dimensions, and infinity. You’re not going to understand all of it, and that’s OK. Understanding everything is not the goal of reading a popular math or popular science book—getting a glimpse behind the curtain, understanding why it’s important, piquing your interest to learn more; these are the goals. (I’m trying to pump you up and help you be more resilient here, because I won’t lie to you and pretend it’s easy to follow everything, either in this book or in others like it.) Don’t worry though, because the author will always be around to help you out. Parker writes with a sense of humour that’s only to be expected considering his comedic career. (Britain really does seem to have cornered the market on funny mathematicians�.)
There are also lots of practical exercises too. And I don’t mean questions you need to calculate and answer. I mean activities, templates for you to cut out and puzzles for you to consider. Parker is very proactive in demonstrating some of the practical ramifications of even the most esoteric ideas, from calculating digital roots to knitting 3D projections of 4D shapes. I could easily see some of this stuff working in a classroom setting if, you know, you’re not the kind of math teacher that thinks we should just memorize it all.
Really, when it gets down to it, this is how we need to be teaching and learning math. Reading a book about math is all well and good—I love doing it. But you need to learn by doing math. You need to try these things yourself, to investigate a problem until you hit upon interesting and sometimes unexpected results. This is one of the greatest things about mathematics: you can, in theory, verify every math result ever discovered by someone else. And you don’t even need specialized equipment: most of the time you just need a ruler, some scissors, and some paper. (And maybe a calculator or a computer for the recent discoveries!) This is DIY math at its finest.
I learned some neat things in the chapters that Parker devotes to higher-dimensional shapes. This is not an area of math I’ve studied in much detail, and conceptualizing higher-dimensional shapes is, of course, very difficult! Yet he explains it clearly. I also appreciate how much he uses computer programs to help him investigate relationships and ideas. As someone who also enjoys writing Python scripts, I’m always happy to see my interest in math and computers come together.
On the flip side, I know a lot about graph theory and enjoyed his section on that. He doesn’t really do anything new when it comes to talking about old chestnuts like the Four Colour Theorem and its infamous proof. Nevertheless, this is one of those areas of math that people never hear about unless they go into university, despite it being so interesting and widely applicable.
Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension is a lovely and informative book. It’s a great example of how to write well about doing math for fun. Parker is ever-encouraging, ever-understanding, ready to make fun of math, mathematicians, school, and himself—and yes, my dear reader, you as well. This is a safe book in that sense: you’re not going to be judged for not liking math or not having much luck, so far, with it. But thanks to Matt Parker, you can roll your own math and enjoy doing it. We need more books like this! Until then, read this one.
Here’s my secret when reviewing math books: don’t focus on the math. Because, you know, anyone with a math degree can write about math. Writing about math is not hard. It’s making math accessible that’s hard. Now, that’s not because math is somehow more difficult for the average person to comprehend than any other highly-specialized field. We only have this perception as an unfortunate side-effect of our industrialized education system, which has traditionally insisted that we should learn math through rote memorization of rules.
Matt Parker rightly embraces a much more flexible idea about how we can learn math. Specifically, he champions recreational mathematics. That’s right, people: doing math for fun!
If you’re sceptical, I don’t blame you—see my point above about school systems. It’s really unfortunate we break people and squash their love of math so early like this. If I were better with young children I might consider becoming a primary school teacher to rectify this. As it is, my head stuck up here in the calculus clouds, I can only evangelize recreational math from afar.
See, we mathematicians know what people with a warped idea of math do not: mathematics is a creative discipline. Someone had to find the Fibonacci sequence, and they didn’t do it by looking at nature. Someone had to devise and name different dimensions of shapes. And mathematicians do this by investigating, by looking at what we already know and finding the gaps. Yes, they do this is a systematic way, and they have to do it rigorously before other mathematicians will agree with them. But a lot of mathematical discoveries have literally come about because of mathematicians just playing with numbers and shapes and ideas.
This idea pervades Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension, which is organized in such a way to progress from basic ideas about numbers to very abstract ideas about functions, dimensions, and infinity. You’re not going to understand all of it, and that’s OK. Understanding everything is not the goal of reading a popular math or popular science book—getting a glimpse behind the curtain, understanding why it’s important, piquing your interest to learn more; these are the goals. (I’m trying to pump you up and help you be more resilient here, because I won’t lie to you and pretend it’s easy to follow everything, either in this book or in others like it.) Don’t worry though, because the author will always be around to help you out. Parker writes with a sense of humour that’s only to be expected considering his comedic career. (Britain really does seem to have cornered the market on funny mathematicians�.)
There are also lots of practical exercises too. And I don’t mean questions you need to calculate and answer. I mean activities, templates for you to cut out and puzzles for you to consider. Parker is very proactive in demonstrating some of the practical ramifications of even the most esoteric ideas, from calculating digital roots to knitting 3D projections of 4D shapes. I could easily see some of this stuff working in a classroom setting if, you know, you’re not the kind of math teacher that thinks we should just memorize it all.
Really, when it gets down to it, this is how we need to be teaching and learning math. Reading a book about math is all well and good—I love doing it. But you need to learn by doing math. You need to try these things yourself, to investigate a problem until you hit upon interesting and sometimes unexpected results. This is one of the greatest things about mathematics: you can, in theory, verify every math result ever discovered by someone else. And you don’t even need specialized equipment: most of the time you just need a ruler, some scissors, and some paper. (And maybe a calculator or a computer for the recent discoveries!) This is DIY math at its finest.
I learned some neat things in the chapters that Parker devotes to higher-dimensional shapes. This is not an area of math I’ve studied in much detail, and conceptualizing higher-dimensional shapes is, of course, very difficult! Yet he explains it clearly. I also appreciate how much he uses computer programs to help him investigate relationships and ideas. As someone who also enjoys writing Python scripts, I’m always happy to see my interest in math and computers come together.
On the flip side, I know a lot about graph theory and enjoyed his section on that. He doesn’t really do anything new when it comes to talking about old chestnuts like the Four Colour Theorem and its infamous proof. Nevertheless, this is one of those areas of math that people never hear about unless they go into university, despite it being so interesting and widely applicable.
Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension is a lovely and informative book. It’s a great example of how to write well about doing math for fun. Parker is ever-encouraging, ever-understanding, ready to make fun of math, mathematicians, school, and himself—and yes, my dear reader, you as well. This is a safe book in that sense: you’re not going to be judged for not liking math or not having much luck, so far, with it. But thanks to Matt Parker, you can roll your own math and enjoy doing it. We need more books like this! Until then, read this one.
November 29, 2015
Matt Parker is a comedian who does stand-up math. Or he is a mathematician doing stand-up comedy…I forget which lifestyle definition attracted me to : some are complicated enough to make you forget to laugh…unless, that is, you are already in on the math basics he is sharing. I learned about Parker’s new book from the mathematician Ben Babcock, whose website reviews recently-published science fiction, among other things. I was impressed with his assessment that “this is DIY math at its finest�-- impressed enough, after looking at it myself, to buy copies for my teenaged nephews.
Besides that, in I saw, Parker is wearing maths paraphernalia like a “smooth geometric t-shirt� sold by that is über-cool for mathheads. I like to encourage thinking and innovation of any kind.
Parker doesn’t neglect important relevant applications of mathematics: how to cut a pizza equally with crust or without, how best to keep your headphone wires from tangling, how to tie your shoes (!) the maths way…in other words, ways to learn and test math principles using everyday objects…or your classroom full of students. It actually does sound fun, which I guess is the point. Babcock, who I mention above, makes it clear that one really understands maths by doing math, which is perhaps even more to the point.
Besides that, in I saw, Parker is wearing maths paraphernalia like a “smooth geometric t-shirt� sold by that is über-cool for mathheads. I like to encourage thinking and innovation of any kind.
Parker doesn’t neglect important relevant applications of mathematics: how to cut a pizza equally with crust or without, how best to keep your headphone wires from tangling, how to tie your shoes (!) the maths way…in other words, ways to learn and test math principles using everyday objects…or your classroom full of students. It actually does sound fun, which I guess is the point. Babcock, who I mention above, makes it clear that one really understands maths by doing math, which is perhaps even more to the point.
April 9, 2017
I learned about Matt Parker from his own and other youtube channels in which he explains mathematical facts in a comprehensible and entertaining way. Originally a maths(*) teacher from Australia he switched to stand-up comedy for a while before he combined his talents to become a stand-up mathematician and is now working as the Public Engagement in Mathematics Fellow at Queen Mary University of London.
The maths in this book covers a lot of ground. To start with, this is not a puzzle book. There are some puzzles in here too, but they play a minor role. On the whole this is a text about maths, which also contains numerous illustrations and, of course, formulas, but not that many. The chapters are relatively short and there’s more text to read and enjoy than formulas to chew on.
It is a book for the mathematically interested layman and lover of numbers (and shapes, because there’s also a lot of geometry to be read about). True mathematicians would probably be bored, but for me it was just right in scope and depth. Some things interested me more than others and I already knew some topics from Parker’s videos, but other things were completely new to me. The writing style is consistently conversational and witty and a good mix of seriousness and humor, just right for “recreational maths�. The reader is asked to participate. To perform the calculations, drawings, cuttings, folding and sticking together you are advised to keep the following items nearby: A pocket calculator, pen and paper, a ruler, compass, scissors, adhesive material, oranges or other spherical fruits (the more the better), as well as infinitely many numbered balls for an experiment (if not enough balls are available, this experiment can also be carried out in your mind).
There’s also some interesting facts to learn about the mathematicians and their time. For instance it was new to me that as recently as two centuries ago some mathematicians were still in denial about negative numbers. What the author calls the Negative Revolution started around the 1530s and lasted until 1620s. It then took two more centuries for mathematics to fully embrace 0 and negative numbers as being as real as any positive number!
In addition, some chapters deal with the subject of computers and how they work in principle. The author has built a simple machine for adding numbers on the occasion of a science festival using 10,000 dominoes and plenty of time. This “computer� was able to add two three-digit binary numbers and give the four-digit result and it took the machine forty-eight seconds to do that. Afterwards it takes six hours to set up the dominoes again before another calculation can be made which is equal to a processor speed of roughly 46 microhertz.
Unfortunately there are a few errors in the book. As long as there are only typos in the text, it is not so bad and besides there are not many. Alas, there are also mistakes in the mathematical formulas, especially in the last chapter The Answers at the Back of the Book in which some open questions are being answered, and some (light) mathematical proves can be found. Those errors might be confusing for inexperienced readers, in other words for the target audience. Also the formatting of the formulas is less than ideal, although this might be a problem with the Kindle version only.
All in all I had great fun reading about maths again after so many years.
(*) I decided to use the British word “maths� here instead of “math� because of the author’s origin and current residence, and also because each of the 19+ chapters in this book deal with “math�, and that adds up to a whole lot “maths�.
This work is licensed under a .
The maths in this book covers a lot of ground. To start with, this is not a puzzle book. There are some puzzles in here too, but they play a minor role. On the whole this is a text about maths, which also contains numerous illustrations and, of course, formulas, but not that many. The chapters are relatively short and there’s more text to read and enjoy than formulas to chew on.
It is a book for the mathematically interested layman and lover of numbers (and shapes, because there’s also a lot of geometry to be read about). True mathematicians would probably be bored, but for me it was just right in scope and depth. Some things interested me more than others and I already knew some topics from Parker’s videos, but other things were completely new to me. The writing style is consistently conversational and witty and a good mix of seriousness and humor, just right for “recreational maths�. The reader is asked to participate. To perform the calculations, drawings, cuttings, folding and sticking together you are advised to keep the following items nearby: A pocket calculator, pen and paper, a ruler, compass, scissors, adhesive material, oranges or other spherical fruits (the more the better), as well as infinitely many numbered balls for an experiment (if not enough balls are available, this experiment can also be carried out in your mind).
There’s also some interesting facts to learn about the mathematicians and their time. For instance it was new to me that as recently as two centuries ago some mathematicians were still in denial about negative numbers. What the author calls the Negative Revolution started around the 1530s and lasted until 1620s. It then took two more centuries for mathematics to fully embrace 0 and negative numbers as being as real as any positive number!
In addition, some chapters deal with the subject of computers and how they work in principle. The author has built a simple machine for adding numbers on the occasion of a science festival using 10,000 dominoes and plenty of time. This “computer� was able to add two three-digit binary numbers and give the four-digit result and it took the machine forty-eight seconds to do that. Afterwards it takes six hours to set up the dominoes again before another calculation can be made which is equal to a processor speed of roughly 46 microhertz.
Unfortunately there are a few errors in the book. As long as there are only typos in the text, it is not so bad and besides there are not many. Alas, there are also mistakes in the mathematical formulas, especially in the last chapter The Answers at the Back of the Book in which some open questions are being answered, and some (light) mathematical proves can be found. Those errors might be confusing for inexperienced readers, in other words for the target audience. Also the formatting of the formulas is less than ideal, although this might be a problem with the Kindle version only.
All in all I had great fun reading about maths again after so many years.
(*) I decided to use the British word “maths� here instead of “math� because of the author’s origin and current residence, and also because each of the 19+ chapters in this book deal with “math�, and that adds up to a whole lot “maths�.
This work is licensed under a .
January 20, 2015
Matt Parker starts with the idea that many people don’t enjoy math because they’ve never been allowed to play around with it. In other disciplines, you learn the basics, but then are allowed to have some fun. You learn the basics of writing, and are then encouraged to write a story. You learn the basics of music, and then you can play songs with friends. For the most part, people’s experience with math isn’t the same. You’re forced to learn the basics, then�. nothing. It’s no wonder lots of people find it difficult to get enthusiastic about math. Parker sets out to remedy that by filling a book with ways to play with math. There are lots of neat tricks, jokes, and trivia, but he also tries to actually explain a lot of mathematical concepts. And he does it quite well. I won’t claim to have understood everything presented, but I’m willing to admit that has more to do with my having years of avoiding math like the plague than Parker’s explanatory abilities. Even when I didn’t quite grasp the specifics of what was being discussed, Parker was able to provide a higher level explanation so I could at least get the gist of the topic. He does this while remaining funny and engaging throughout. Good stuff.
April 26, 2015
Anyone who has seen Matt Parker perform standup maths as I have (with the excellent Festival of the Spoken Nerd) will immediately recognise the style of this entertaining recreational-ish maths book: an easy, if slightly obsessive communication style, warm and friendly and with a slightly groan-making sense of humour.
I absolutely loved the title, although in a way it's a bit of a let down, as their are relatively few things to 'make and do' here - it is mostly straightforward recreational mathematics - though you certainly can't fault the promise of dealing with the fourth dimension, as well as the fifth, sixth and 196,883rd dimension (and that not one of the joky bits - this is genuinely significant).
Like most rec maths books, while it's clear that the author finds it all fascinating I found some captivating, some vaguely interesting and some a touch 'meh'. But as long as you accept that not all of it will work for you and you might have to skip a few bits and pieces, it has some absolute gems. From interesting ways to cut up pizzas via computers made with dominos and those many dimensional shapes to networks, variants of Möbius strips I've never seen before and an equation that plots as the equation itself there's truly mind boggling stuff. I particularly loved the bit about the secret checking mechanisms in barcodes and VAT numbers (but that's just me) and I'm sure you'll have your own favourites.
Perhaps the weakest parts of the book are the dips into mathematical history. Parker falls for the usual problem of over-egging what was done in 'programming' the non-existent Analytical Engine, and his quick whiz through some of the big names of maths towards the end of the book seems a little out of place with the rest. He acknowledges maths history is a 'bit like herding porridge', but I'm not sure this section adds a lot to the book.
It's interesting to compare TtMaitFD with the work of the hyper-productive Ian Stewart, probably our best known living maths populariser. Despite his light style, Parker took significant risks in going into more depth than Stewart often does in his rec maths books, and I think the gamble pays off, though it may bamboozle some readers. Parker certainly gives Stewart a run for his money and packs plenty in. Recreational maths doesn't work for everyone, but for the naturally geeky this book has a distinct appeal.
I absolutely loved the title, although in a way it's a bit of a let down, as their are relatively few things to 'make and do' here - it is mostly straightforward recreational mathematics - though you certainly can't fault the promise of dealing with the fourth dimension, as well as the fifth, sixth and 196,883rd dimension (and that not one of the joky bits - this is genuinely significant).
Like most rec maths books, while it's clear that the author finds it all fascinating I found some captivating, some vaguely interesting and some a touch 'meh'. But as long as you accept that not all of it will work for you and you might have to skip a few bits and pieces, it has some absolute gems. From interesting ways to cut up pizzas via computers made with dominos and those many dimensional shapes to networks, variants of Möbius strips I've never seen before and an equation that plots as the equation itself there's truly mind boggling stuff. I particularly loved the bit about the secret checking mechanisms in barcodes and VAT numbers (but that's just me) and I'm sure you'll have your own favourites.
Perhaps the weakest parts of the book are the dips into mathematical history. Parker falls for the usual problem of over-egging what was done in 'programming' the non-existent Analytical Engine, and his quick whiz through some of the big names of maths towards the end of the book seems a little out of place with the rest. He acknowledges maths history is a 'bit like herding porridge', but I'm not sure this section adds a lot to the book.
It's interesting to compare TtMaitFD with the work of the hyper-productive Ian Stewart, probably our best known living maths populariser. Despite his light style, Parker took significant risks in going into more depth than Stewart often does in his rec maths books, and I think the gamble pays off, though it may bamboozle some readers. Parker certainly gives Stewart a run for his money and packs plenty in. Recreational maths doesn't work for everyone, but for the naturally geeky this book has a distinct appeal.
October 2, 2018
I skipped through large sections of this book. Something I rarely do and am even less proud of, but sometimes it is necessary. I did give it the first 200 pages, but that wasn’t enough.
To be fair, this wasn’t the book’s fault. It just wasn’t what I was expecting. I like a book on numbers, I really enjoyed Alex’s Adventures in Numberland, but this was totally different.
Rather than looking at fascinating things to do with numbers, this is more a plaything for numbers. Whether you’re exploring random (and arbitrary) sequences, or cutting out shapes, or using straws, it really wasn’t for me. It reminded me a child’s activity book, all it lacked was some colouring in.
I’m a purpose kinda guy. Maths, and numbers, serve a purpose. I don’t sit down to find weird correlations that don’t deliver anything useful, just for fun.
Matt is that kind of guy.
That said, there were a few chapters I found intriguing � the one on computers, for example, it being close to my heart.
It seemed a bit of an ill-formed idea. There’s no real structure or goal, it’s just chapters on a variety of topics strung together.
If you’re similar to the author and love numbers, this should be an interesting book. If you’re not, steer well clear.
To be fair, this wasn’t the book’s fault. It just wasn’t what I was expecting. I like a book on numbers, I really enjoyed Alex’s Adventures in Numberland, but this was totally different.
Rather than looking at fascinating things to do with numbers, this is more a plaything for numbers. Whether you’re exploring random (and arbitrary) sequences, or cutting out shapes, or using straws, it really wasn’t for me. It reminded me a child’s activity book, all it lacked was some colouring in.
I’m a purpose kinda guy. Maths, and numbers, serve a purpose. I don’t sit down to find weird correlations that don’t deliver anything useful, just for fun.
Matt is that kind of guy.
That said, there were a few chapters I found intriguing � the one on computers, for example, it being close to my heart.
It seemed a bit of an ill-formed idea. There’s no real structure or goal, it’s just chapters on a variety of topics strung together.
If you’re similar to the author and love numbers, this should be an interesting book. If you’re not, steer well clear.
April 29, 2018
I hate not completing books. And as a math university student and a fan of Matt Parker, it breaks my heart to not have even made it halfway through this book.
Parker claims math is fun. But this book does nothing to prove it in my opinion. The author presents a series of games and experiments and explains how they work. While the historical background and the humour are interesting, THE REST IS SO INCREDIBLY BORING! No, I don't want to try to find a two pence coin into a hole. There are probably a lot of people who discovered a passion for math following the reading of this tome. But it's simply not for me.
Parker claims math is fun. But this book does nothing to prove it in my opinion. The author presents a series of games and experiments and explains how they work. While the historical background and the humour are interesting, THE REST IS SO INCREDIBLY BORING! No, I don't want to try to find a two pence coin into a hole. There are probably a lot of people who discovered a passion for math following the reading of this tome. But it's simply not for me.
May 13, 2016
Yes.
Good.
Good.
Want to read
September 25, 2014This is a really interesting book! I can't wait to read it!
July 21, 2024
lost this book in a bus station in 5th grade once
September 17, 2024
Great maths fun to think about
April 27, 2022
that one took me a LONG time
but still, i stand by my opinion, i love Matt Parker
half the time i was „reading� this i was really reading crime and punishment, that’s why it took me roughly a month to finish this one (in reality it was ~2 weeks spent on the text)
but about the book
i am really really curious about what would a person who sits in maths 24/7 say about it
for me it was very interesting, providing knowledge in human language, not the maths language which certainly had made it easier to read and understand
i liked that there were so many things covered, some could have been covered more thoroughly BUT i think that this fact encourages to do further research. i know i will do further research
i also have ideas for my math IA for IB which i have not yet begun so thanks for that Matt!
as always, lovely to read
i recommend!
but still, i stand by my opinion, i love Matt Parker
half the time i was „reading� this i was really reading crime and punishment, that’s why it took me roughly a month to finish this one (in reality it was ~2 weeks spent on the text)
but about the book
i am really really curious about what would a person who sits in maths 24/7 say about it
for me it was very interesting, providing knowledge in human language, not the maths language which certainly had made it easier to read and understand
i liked that there were so many things covered, some could have been covered more thoroughly BUT i think that this fact encourages to do further research. i know i will do further research
i also have ideas for my math IA for IB which i have not yet begun so thanks for that Matt!
as always, lovely to read
i recommend!
October 9, 2017
“Sadly, very little school maths focuses on how to win free drinks in a pub.�
What a great book about math! Matt Parker knows how to teach you what mathematics is really all about (spoiler: not only about winning free drinks, but including that). He shows that it’s more than just your everyday calculating at the supermarket and your struggle with calculus in school. Math literally makes the world go round and it’s in your everyday life in ways you would have never expected. Parker knows his stuff and has a humorous way of passing his knowledge on.
I feel like you could read this no matter how much you know about math, although I recommend reading it in your first language if this is your first big encounter with the world of mathematics. I should mention, though, that I’m a third semester physics student, so I can only guess what reading this without knowing much about math is like. However, there were a lot of things that were new to me, too. I did not know anything about knot theory before reading this book, for example. Just give it a try, read the first few pages (I think they are available online) and see if it is for you. And if it is, be prepared to learn a lot about the math that is surrounding you in your everyday life!
To wrap this up I want to mention how much I liked the message of the subsequent chapter. There is no last chapter when it comes to math. You’re always learning, finding out new things, trying out stuff. That’s the true beauty of mathematics.
4/5
What a great book about math! Matt Parker knows how to teach you what mathematics is really all about (spoiler: not only about winning free drinks, but including that). He shows that it’s more than just your everyday calculating at the supermarket and your struggle with calculus in school. Math literally makes the world go round and it’s in your everyday life in ways you would have never expected. Parker knows his stuff and has a humorous way of passing his knowledge on.
I feel like you could read this no matter how much you know about math, although I recommend reading it in your first language if this is your first big encounter with the world of mathematics. I should mention, though, that I’m a third semester physics student, so I can only guess what reading this without knowing much about math is like. However, there were a lot of things that were new to me, too. I did not know anything about knot theory before reading this book, for example. Just give it a try, read the first few pages (I think they are available online) and see if it is for you. And if it is, be prepared to learn a lot about the math that is surrounding you in your everyday life!
To wrap this up I want to mention how much I liked the message of the subsequent chapter. There is no last chapter when it comes to math. You’re always learning, finding out new things, trying out stuff. That’s the true beauty of mathematics.
4/5
November 19, 2014
This was a most enjoyable recreational maths, perfect for my commute home.
Well-- almost. There's a lot of practical stuff to do with this book, and it's quite hard to attempt to fit a 2p coin through a hole the size of a 5p piece on the 1759 to Aylesbury Vale Parkway. And it's nearly impossible to find a mobius strip.
It's a great book - fun maths problems and surprising mathematical results, all simply explained and amusingly illustrated. It's choc-a-block with dreadful, dreadful jokes, maths and otherwise.
Well-- almost. There's a lot of practical stuff to do with this book, and it's quite hard to attempt to fit a 2p coin through a hole the size of a 5p piece on the 1759 to Aylesbury Vale Parkway. And it's nearly impossible to find a mobius strip.
It's a great book - fun maths problems and surprising mathematical results, all simply explained and amusingly illustrated. It's choc-a-block with dreadful, dreadful jokes, maths and otherwise.
July 6, 2016
Matt Parker is a person who has made his mum knit him a 4D pi hat. He's also a person who has managed to write a 450-page-long about maths in a way that invokes amusement in you instead of the typical thoughts of furious suicide. That said about 5% of this book is boring math stuff, the other 95% is well-explained math-y goodness and a person being capable of doing that with a math book, a math book for god's sake just leaves me in awe.
March 10, 2019
I chose Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension because I really enjoy math and this book got really in depth with a lot of theoretical topics that I wouldn’t be able to learn in my regular math class. Matt Parker, the author, is one of my favorite mathematicians on the planet, and I hope to grow up and follow his footsteps in the career field of math and physics.
This book is not like most other books anyone reads. There is no plot or story going on, but rather a chapter system where each chapter talks about a new topic. Topics range from things like how to make a computer to shapes in all dimensions. My favorite chapter would be number 10: The Fourth Dimension. While discussing the topics, Matt finds any and all opportunities to make it fun and interesting by leaving behind problems and questions the reader can answer on their own. Provided in the back of the book, a chapter fittingly titled The Answers in the Back of the Book helps with any questions as well as detailed descriptions and alternate solutions. The chapters are not connected meaning that you could read the book going from any chapter to any chapter. My favorite read through is 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 6, 1, 9, 10, 15, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 16, 18 (In that order of course). The topics do get more and more confusing/intricate by the end so it is imperative that you do read them in a semi-correct order.
This book is my all time favorite. No question. Along with the ability to read the chapters out of order, on page 6, there is a chart which shows different paths you could read along with. Just more combinations and permutations to allow for a different reading experience! Many different math institutes around the world invited Matt to explore their facilities which is evident in the many selfies of him having fun throughout the book. Along with digital pictures, there are hand-drawn pictures which are super neat. With the writing style of a mathematician, it is enjoyable to see how many jokes and real-world connections he can make, despite talking about theoretical topics.
There are a few problems with this book. For starters, it is not meant for everyone. It is only really enjoyable if you are interested in math. But not everyone is. Another problem is the chapter on knots. It was kind of boring and unneeded in my opinion but there were a few connections to the chapter on the fourth dimension which I liked. It is a bigger book too so anyone who wants a quick read will have to pass. There was also a little too much history involved. There were many sub-chapters that were solely based off of people’s discoveries that didn’t interest me that much.
This book is not like most other books anyone reads. There is no plot or story going on, but rather a chapter system where each chapter talks about a new topic. Topics range from things like how to make a computer to shapes in all dimensions. My favorite chapter would be number 10: The Fourth Dimension. While discussing the topics, Matt finds any and all opportunities to make it fun and interesting by leaving behind problems and questions the reader can answer on their own. Provided in the back of the book, a chapter fittingly titled The Answers in the Back of the Book helps with any questions as well as detailed descriptions and alternate solutions. The chapters are not connected meaning that you could read the book going from any chapter to any chapter. My favorite read through is 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 6, 1, 9, 10, 15, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 16, 18 (In that order of course). The topics do get more and more confusing/intricate by the end so it is imperative that you do read them in a semi-correct order.
This book is my all time favorite. No question. Along with the ability to read the chapters out of order, on page 6, there is a chart which shows different paths you could read along with. Just more combinations and permutations to allow for a different reading experience! Many different math institutes around the world invited Matt to explore their facilities which is evident in the many selfies of him having fun throughout the book. Along with digital pictures, there are hand-drawn pictures which are super neat. With the writing style of a mathematician, it is enjoyable to see how many jokes and real-world connections he can make, despite talking about theoretical topics.
There are a few problems with this book. For starters, it is not meant for everyone. It is only really enjoyable if you are interested in math. But not everyone is. Another problem is the chapter on knots. It was kind of boring and unneeded in my opinion but there were a few connections to the chapter on the fourth dimension which I liked. It is a bigger book too so anyone who wants a quick read will have to pass. There was also a little too much history involved. There were many sub-chapters that were solely based off of people’s discoveries that didn’t interest me that much.
January 31, 2023
Fun 4D Book
This was an exceptionally fun book.
I liked it a lot.
Although I enjoyed his other book a lot more, this was a great book with some fun examples and things to do - such as cool ways to cut pizza!
That being said, this was a truly unique and enjoyable read for anyone interested in mathematics. The book takes a lighthearted and engaging approach to exploring higher-dimensional concepts, making it accessible to readers with a wide range of mathematical backgrounds.
Matt Parker, a well-known mathematician and public speaker, brings his wit and humor to this book, making it both informative and entertaining. He presents complex mathematical concepts in a clear and concise manner, and provides readers with hands-on activities and examples that help illustrate and bring these concepts to life.
One of the standout features of the book is the author's ability to make mathematical concepts relatable and accessible to a general audience. Through his use of humor and practical examples, he shows how mathematical concepts can be applied to real-world situations and can be thought about in our daily lives.
Whether you are a seasoned mathematician or just someone who is curious about the subject, this is a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of mathematics and explore it in a new and exciting way.
The author's engaging writing style, combined with the unique and interactive approach to mathematical concepts, makes this book a standout in the field. Whether you are a student, mathematician, or simply someone who is interested in mathematics, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to explore the fascinating world of higher-dimensional mathematics.
I recommend listening to Northlane's song, 4D, when reading this book!
3.9/5
This was an exceptionally fun book.
I liked it a lot.
Although I enjoyed his other book a lot more, this was a great book with some fun examples and things to do - such as cool ways to cut pizza!
That being said, this was a truly unique and enjoyable read for anyone interested in mathematics. The book takes a lighthearted and engaging approach to exploring higher-dimensional concepts, making it accessible to readers with a wide range of mathematical backgrounds.
Matt Parker, a well-known mathematician and public speaker, brings his wit and humor to this book, making it both informative and entertaining. He presents complex mathematical concepts in a clear and concise manner, and provides readers with hands-on activities and examples that help illustrate and bring these concepts to life.
One of the standout features of the book is the author's ability to make mathematical concepts relatable and accessible to a general audience. Through his use of humor and practical examples, he shows how mathematical concepts can be applied to real-world situations and can be thought about in our daily lives.
Whether you are a seasoned mathematician or just someone who is curious about the subject, this is a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of mathematics and explore it in a new and exciting way.
The author's engaging writing style, combined with the unique and interactive approach to mathematical concepts, makes this book a standout in the field. Whether you are a student, mathematician, or simply someone who is interested in mathematics, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to explore the fascinating world of higher-dimensional mathematics.
I recommend listening to Northlane's song, 4D, when reading this book!
3.9/5
December 9, 2018
This nerdfest is one of the few books I'll advise you to read slowly (unlike yours truly) to a) avoid making your brain hurt and b) to actually have time to digest the ideas the author is presenting, as well as attempting (some of) the puzzles he gives you.
This is a book on grownup maths and, unsurprisingly, it's a lot of fun of you are the right kind of person. Similarly to sticking to the SF&F genres as your preferred literature type into the adulthood allows you to encounter some the best ideas and thought provoking stories in your books - as opposed to having to settle for no-picture books about the ails of the contemporary man - Matt Parker's book reveals that the slight tedium you had to suffer through during your school days was just a prep for being able to actually free your mind and go truly crazy. I know, having a degree in physics, I've heard about a lot of things discussed in the chapters, but definitely not all of it, and even the things I have I often got a chance to look at from a different perspective. Mathematics is huge and this books gives you a taster of what is possible and the vast areas we still have to explore.
Pick up this book alongside a lighter read (pretty much anything fits this category, even though the language in here is playful and informal) and prepare to have your mind blown all the way into almost 200000 dimensions!
This is a book on grownup maths and, unsurprisingly, it's a lot of fun of you are the right kind of person. Similarly to sticking to the SF&F genres as your preferred literature type into the adulthood allows you to encounter some the best ideas and thought provoking stories in your books - as opposed to having to settle for no-picture books about the ails of the contemporary man - Matt Parker's book reveals that the slight tedium you had to suffer through during your school days was just a prep for being able to actually free your mind and go truly crazy. I know, having a degree in physics, I've heard about a lot of things discussed in the chapters, but definitely not all of it, and even the things I have I often got a chance to look at from a different perspective. Mathematics is huge and this books gives you a taster of what is possible and the vast areas we still have to explore.
Pick up this book alongside a lighter read (pretty much anything fits this category, even though the language in here is playful and informal) and prepare to have your mind blown all the way into almost 200000 dimensions!
September 15, 2018
I'd recommend this book to anyone who already has a background in mathematics or someone who is intending to embark on a deep dive into the world of maths. Matt starts out with fundamental ideas and leads into some very technical concepts which unless you already have a solid foundation in are a bit difficult to grasp. I found some of the sections of the book more easily relatable than others. At times it was difficult to find motivation to want to continue reading, while at other times I was champing at the bit. Overall the style of writing is intriguing, thought provoking and an enjoyable read.
May 14, 2021
Another brilliant book by Matt Parker. He keeps math interesting and fun, but still goes to the edges of known maths, touching upon some weird phenomena and multidimensional quirks. Contrary to Humble Pi, here there is some minor stuff lacking for certain subjects, such as recursive functions, where an extra step in the explanation could clarify it even further. Overall great book
February 27, 2019
This is an amazing book which made me love Maths again. It is really easy to read and made me think hard about Maths and the world around me. I have to admit that it hurt my brain occasionally but I loved reading every sentence.
June 3, 2019
Awesome read. Tons of math concepts explained in a funny, entertaining, and clear way. I feel way smarter after reading this and it has further fueled my love for mathematics. Matt Parker writes like he's talking to you - like an extremely lovable math teacher. This book rekindled my interest in reading which I had lost for so long. I can't wait for his next book to be out in the states.
May 3, 2021
Matt Parker absolutely knocks it out the park with this book. Every mathematical concept is so meticulously explained and every joke lands. It’s embarrassing to find yourself laughing out loud at a maths book, but this delightfully nerdy book forces you into that situation regardless. Very interesting and enjoyable read.
November 8, 2018
Was an ok book and well laid out and methodical. Some of the chapters are quite repetitive but overall a good book. Not something I'd re-read but it was a nice drop in drop out book.
February 7, 2020
Awesome. So fun! Anyone recreationally interested in math should read this. I knew of some things but learned so much and was really stimulated by this book.
September 25, 2022
Great fun and learning experience. Some pages had to be read three times to even grasp them :) Lovely one, Matt.
December 31, 2022
It’s fun to be able to pick up and experience a few little math puzzles and brain teasers for fun and not for a grade.
August 27, 2023
Oh i loved this book. It's definitely one of my favorite books ever. It's hilarious. My copy is unfortunately falling apart since i bought it everywhere with me this summer. I read it in the tube, in a plane, at the lake and even in a pool. i just couldn't put it down.
July 19, 2020
Unfortunately, I bought this book because I was interested in the 4th dimension but only ~20% is actually about that. So I was disappointed.
It is a very well written book though and whoever is interested in a more fun way to approach math will find it here.
(I also learned a new way to tie my shoes which was one of the highlights of my month)
It is a very well written book though and whoever is interested in a more fun way to approach math will find it here.
(I also learned a new way to tie my shoes which was one of the highlights of my month)
March 15, 2023
Trochę się męczyłam, ale to jednak też wina czytania po angielsku 😅 ale też chyba nie do końca byłam targetem tej książki, bo połowę rzeczy wiedziałam, a drugiej połowy albo nie umiałam sobie wyobrazić albo mnie nie interesowała. Kilku nowych rzeczy jednak się dowiedziałam, więc nie był to stracony czas. No i oczywiście Matt Parker pisze świetnie, jest to dobra rozrywka przepełniona dowcipnymi zdaniami, więc jak najbardziej będę polecać tę książkę.
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