Math for the Frightened: Facing Scary Symbols and Everything Else That Freaks You Out About Mathematics [Paperback]

There's something about a language of symbols and equations that most people find intimidating. Mathematician Colin Pask gently introduces you to the main ideas of mathematics and painlessly demonstrates how they are expressed in terms of symbols. He teaches the reader not onlywhy symbols are used, and how and why equations are constructed, but also exactly what is achieved by doing that. Through simple yet intriguing examples in number theory, Pask generates confidence in thinking mathematically and reveals the pleasure of seeing how mathematical patterns evolve and are explored. A welcoming, gentle excursion into interesting mathematical ideas…. Highly recommended.”- Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries“Beginners who have little math background but who are curious about math will find this an accessible introduction geared to non-math lay readers.”- The Bookwatch Midwest Book Review“A valuable tool in one's learning arsenal.”- San Francisco Book Review“It is a noble effort to help the math-challenged and it succeeds…. [Pask] takes the reader on a trip into the world of mathematics, explaining how it is used in science and elsewhere in ways that makes it a very entertaining and enlightening experience.”- Bookviews by Alan Caruba