Beautiful Mathematics

Name: Beautiful Mathematics
ISBN: 9787571000882

爱德华·沙伊纳曼 / 张缘Hunan Science & Technology Press · ChinaApr 2026

3.8

Word count: 99K words
Chapters: 29
ISBN: 9787571000882

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Summary

How can a shape have more than one side but fewer than two? Can a highly accurate medical test be more likely to give a wrong result? If you can see only the first digit of sales figures, how can you tell whether your accountant is lying? ... In our lives, mathematics is everywhere—real, fascinating, and beautiful. Romantic formulas, exquisite probabilities, leaping figures... Once you begin to observe the world through mathematical eyes, life may become simpler and more certain. He is the funniest writer in mathematics and the most prolific "sweeping monk" in the writing world; a mathematical theorem is boldly named after him; three renowned universities are closely tied to his experience; he is a real-life "Sheldon" of our time—and the author of this book, mathematician Edward Scheinerman! The namesake of the "Scheinerman Theorem," a renowned mathematician and educator, will help us discover and solve intriguing mathematical problems around us and lead us into that beautiful new world of numbers, shapes, and uncertainty.

Editor's review

The Beauty of Mathematics is Edward Scheinerman's gift to every reader who is curious about—or intimidated by—mathematics. A mathematician with extensive teaching experience, Scheinerman does not pile up formulas or abstruse theory; instead he takes a different path, returning to the essential beauty of mathematics—those simple, elegant models of thought that reveal the deep patterns of the world. The book's greatest value lies in its distinctive angle: it does not demand advanced mathematical training, but through classic problems (the Pythagorean theorem, the distribution of primes, the concept of infinity, and more) guides readers to experience how mathematicians think and how they discover extraordinary patterns in seemingly ordinary phenomena. This experiential reading makes mathematics no longer cold symbols but an intellectual aesthetics. The treatment of each topic reflects the author's pedagogical wisdom: historical background gives mathematical knowledge warmth; step-by-step logical deduction makes the thinking process clear and traceable; and, most rare, the author always maintains an inviting stance, encouraging readers to try things themselves and verify them firsthand. For readers once defeated by mathematics, this book may be a gentle "re-enlightenment"; for mathematics enthusiasts, it is a rare chance to engage with a professional mathematician's thinking. It reminds us that the beauty of mathematics lies not only in advanced papers but in simple truths that everyone can understand.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Adult readers curious about mathematics but lacking systematic knowledge
Parents and educators who hope to cultivate children's interest in mathematics
Readers from humanities backgrounds who want to grasp the essence of mathematical thinking
Thinkers seeking interdisciplinary inspiration or who enjoy intellectual games

Not a good fit for

Students urgently needing to prepare for standardized tests and seeking solution-technique manuals
Professionals expecting to delve into the frontier theories of a particular branch of mathematics

Reading tips

Reading in order is recommended; the early chapters gently pave the way for later, more abstract concepts
Keep paper and pen at hand and follow the book's guidance to calculate or draw yourself—the experience improves greatly
Don't feel you must finish it in one sitting; each chapter is relatively independent and suits daily mental practice

About the publisher

Hunan Science & Technology Press China · Founded in 1979

Hunan Science & Technology Press has long focused on science popularization and medical publishing, balancing academic depth with accessibility for general readers. Among the 462 titles in the database are Richard Feynman's classic lectures on QED, the nature of physical laws, and relativity in the "Approaching Feynman" series, as well as general-audience works such as George Gamow's One, Two, Three... Infinity and Sean Carroll's The Big Picture. Its paleontology and dinosaur list includes Gregory S. Paul's Princeton field guides and authors such as Xing Lida. Hermann Weyl's Symmetry further reflects the press's attention to classic works bridging science and the humanities. Overall, the publisher shows a clear author profile and an emphasis on illustrated, well-rounded science publishing across both translated and original titles.

版权信息
自序
前言定理与证明
第一部分数
1.质数
2.二进制
3. 0.999999999999…
4.√2
5. i
6.π
7.e
8.∞
9.斐波那契数列
10.阶乘！
11.本福德定律
12.算法
第二部分形状
13.三角形
14.毕达哥拉斯和费马
15.圆
16.柏拉图立体
17.分形
18.双曲几何
第三部分不确定性
19.非传递性骰子
20.医疗概率
21.混沌
22.社会选择与阿罗定理
23.纽科姆悖论

FAQ

How is this book different from common popular mathematics books?

It focuses more on showing the process of "how mathematicians think about problems" rather than simply introducing mathematical knowledge or anecdotes. The author is like a guide, taking you along the path of key discoveries in the history of mathematics, emphasizing "the landscape of thought" rather than "a display of facts."

How much mathematical background is needed to understand it?

Only a middle-school mathematics background is needed. The book starts very accessibly, beginning with the familiar Pythagorean theorem; the key is to follow the author's reasoning and think logically, not to memorize formulas.

What concrete help does this book offer to non-mathematics majors?

It systematically trains logical thinking, abstraction, and problem-solving ability. These abilities are universal and highly beneficial for programming, investment analysis, strategic planning, and even everyday decisions. Understanding the beauty of mathematics is essentially understanding a rigorous and efficient way of modeling the world.

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About the author

爱德华·沙伊纳曼 Author

Edward Scheinerman is an author known for writing popular mathematics. Two of his works are available in the Chinese book market: the two-volume set The Math Lover's Book (Chinese title: Mi Ren de Shu Xue + Mei Li de Shu Xue) and Beautiful Mathematics. Both fall under popular science, with subjects centered on mathematics itself and a balance between informative content and readability. The available information gives no clear record of his nationality, dates of birth and death, education, or professional career, so public materials are limited and his life story cannot be sketched in detail. Judging from the titles and the combined-volume format, however, his writing addresses general readers and favors an accessible style that presents the interest and beauty of mathematics, inviting readers to experience the appeal of mathematical thinking. Such popular writing helps lower the barrier to mathematics for the public and suits readers who are curious about the subject and hope for an easy introduction.

张缘 Author

Zhang Yuan is an author about whom limited public information is available. Three works by this author are currently included in the collection, spanning the two categories of popular science and finance. Representative works include a two-volume collection of popular mathematics writing related to “Fascinating Mathematics” and “Beautiful Mathematics,” as well as Economics: A General Course. Judging from the distribution of these works, Zhang Yuan’s writing attends both to presenting the beauty of mathematics and to explaining basic economic knowledge in an accessible way, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach to popular science. Because details such as dates of birth and death, nationality, education, and professional experience are not clearly recorded, it is not possible at present to sketch the author’s personal biography. Based on the existing works, Zhang Yuan’s writing appears to be aimed at general readers and to lower the barriers to academic subjects, turning mathematical and economic knowledge into more approachable reading material suitable for readers interested in popular science and general education.