🥧 π Day is just around the corner (March 14th), so it’s time for 3.14 math books in this Brainstorm. Hmm..., .14 of a book is hard to pull off… I know! We’ll just round it off the same way you would if you were slicing 3.14 slices of pie…we’ll go for 4. 😁 All of these are math nonfiction titles to feed the mind while you’re devouring your delicious pie of choice. Click on the title to see my full review of each book including any content notes/trigger warnings.
If you are looking for other math reads check out Brainstorms 61, 125, and 264.
How Many Guinea Pigs Can Fit on a Plane?: Answers to Your Most Clever Math Questions by Laura Overdeck
A collection of curious questions gathered from children and answered with math like, “How many guinea pigs would it take to fill an airplane?”
The questions in this are both silly and serious, helpful and just fun to know. I like that the author breaks down the steps of how to answer the questions using math (and often shares tricks how to make the math a little easier...more shortcuts are included in the back of the book). The math usually involves multiplication and division, sometimes geometry, and often unit conversions.
Target Readers:
Curious Readers, Nonfiction Fans, Random Fact Sponges, Math Lovers, Math Learners, Middle Grade Readers
I Know Numbers! by Taro Gomi
A sampling of the many, many ways we use numbers.
Gomi includes such a wide variety of examples, and it is eye-opening to be reminded of how prevalent numbers are in our world and how varied in their usage.
Target Readers:
Number Learners, Curious Readers, Those Working on Observation Skills, Books in Translation Fans, Picture Book Readers
Nothing Stopped Sophie: the Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain by Cheryl Bardoe, ill. by Barbara McClintock
A picture book biography of Sophie Germain, a woman who grew up in the midst of the French Revolution, pursued mathematics relentlessly, and eventually developed a formula that explained the way things vibrate.
Sophie's mathematical work laid the groundwork necessary for architects to design stable bridges and buildings that won't fall apart due to resonance. It's an inspiring story about a woman who was never fully understood during her time, had to largely teach herself, and yet continued to pursue what she was gifted at. The back matter in this book is well-worth a read too, with further information on Sophie Germain, math, and the process of choosing what to include in a short biography and illustrating it. Oh, and the art is amazing!
Target Readers:
Picture Book Biography Fans, Fans of Perseverance Stories, Math Lovers, Art Lovers, History Fans, Nonfiction Readers, Wannabe Writers, Picture Book Readers
What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe
A collection of utterly ridiculous hypothetical situations answered with serious math, science, stick figure illustrations, and squirrels.
After reading this you'll be able to explain why you don't have to worry about being crushed by a snowball the size of a house, but you might be much more disturbed by children's songs about rain being lemon drops, and know exactly why a pole running from the Moon to the Earth is a very bad idea. Munroe does a good job of breaking down serious math and science into laymen’s terms but keeps enough in there for the math enthusiasts to check his calculations if they really want to.
Target Readers:
Math & Science Enthusiasts, Humor Fans, Curious Readers, Random Fact Sponges, YA & Adult Readers
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