What Does the Number Devil Teach About Spherical Geometry?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the book "The Number Devil" by Hans Magnus Enzensberger and a proposed additional chapter that explores concepts in spherical geometry. Participants express curiosity about the book's content and its suitability for different audiences, particularly children.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the book appears to be aimed at children.
  • One participant mentions the existence of reviews on Amazon, suggesting that others may find them helpful for assessing the book.
  • Another participant recommends exploring books by Dunham for a non-textbook approach to mathematics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the book is likely intended for a younger audience, but there is no consensus on the quality or educational value of the proposed additional chapter.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the audience's familiarity with the book and its themes may not be fully explored, and the discussion does not delve into specific mathematical concepts mentioned in the proposed chapter.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in children's literature related to mathematics, as well as those looking for engaging ways to learn about mathematical concepts outside traditional textbooks.

marcus
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http://arxiv.org/abs/0706.3342
The Forgotten Night: The Number Devil Explores Spherical Geometry
Marissa L. Weichman
10 pages, 15 figures, submitted to American Journal of Physics
(Submitted on 22 Jun 2007)

"This is a missing chapter from Hans Magnus Enzensberger's mathematical adventure The Number Devil (Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1997). In the book, a math-hating boy named Robert is visited in his dreams by the clever Number Devil, who teaches him to love all things numerical. However, we all forget our dreams from time to time. Here is one adventure that Enzensberger overlooked, where the Number Devil introduces Robert to geometry not-of-Euclid, great circles, parallel transport, the pendulum of Foucault, and the genius of Euler."

Anybody know the book by Magnus Enzenberger?

Is it good?

what about the proposed additional chapter here?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
looks like its for kids
 
yeah, i think it's a kids book

check out some of dunham's books if you like reading about math in a non textbook sort of way