Is Math Real?: How Simple Questions Lead Us to Mathematics' Deepest Truths
Aug 2023 · Sold by Basic Books
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About this ebook
One of the world’s most creative mathematicians offers a new way to look at math—focusing on questions, not answers
Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize
A New Scientist Best Book of the Year
“Brilliant.” —Popular Science
Where do we learn math: From rules in a textbook? From logic and deduction? Not really, according to mathematician Eugenia Cheng: we learn it from human curiosity—most importantly, from asking questions. This may come as a surprise to those who think that math is about finding the one right answer, or those who were told that the “dumb” question they asked just proved they were bad at math. But Cheng shows why people who ask questions like “Why does 1 + 1 = 2?” are at the very heart of the search for mathematical truth.
Is Math Real? is a much-needed repudiation of the rigid ways we’re taught to do math, and a celebration of the true, curious spirit of the discipline. Written with intelligence and passion, Is Math Real? brings us math as we’ve never seen it before, revealing how profound insights can emerge from seemingly unlikely sources.
Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize
A New Scientist Best Book of the Year
“Brilliant.” —Popular Science
Where do we learn math: From rules in a textbook? From logic and deduction? Not really, according to mathematician Eugenia Cheng: we learn it from human curiosity—most importantly, from asking questions. This may come as a surprise to those who think that math is about finding the one right answer, or those who were told that the “dumb” question they asked just proved they were bad at math. But Cheng shows why people who ask questions like “Why does 1 + 1 = 2?” are at the very heart of the search for mathematical truth.
Is Math Real? is a much-needed repudiation of the rigid ways we’re taught to do math, and a celebration of the true, curious spirit of the discipline. Written with intelligence and passion, Is Math Real? brings us math as we’ve never seen it before, revealing how profound insights can emerge from seemingly unlikely sources.
One of the world’s most creative mathematicians offers a new way to look at math—focusing on questions, not answers
Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize
A New Scientist Best Book of the Year
“Brilliant.” —Popular Science
Where do we learn math: From rules in a textbook?...
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Ratings and reviews
1 review
Stephen Evans
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January 1, 2026
This book touches on so many aspects of math I find fascinating and curious. Great for those who are interested in the philosophical aspects of math.
About the author
Eugenia Cheng is Scientist in Residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has authored numerous titles, including Unequal, How to Bake Pi, The Art of Logic, Beyond Infinity, and x + y. Cheng lives in Chicago, Illinois.
Eugenia Cheng is Scientist in Residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has authored numerous titles, including Unequal, How to Bake Pi, The Art of Logic, Beyond Infinity, and x + y. Cheng lives in Chicago, Illinois.
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