Easy as Pi: The Countless Ways We Use Numbers Every Day - Hardcover

Buchan, Jamie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1606521349 ISBN 13: 9781606521342

Publisher: Readers Digest, 2010

Synopsis

Have you ever wondered what makes "seventh heaven" and "cloud nine" so blissful and the number 13 so unlucky? Here's the "4-1-1" on the origins of numerical expressions and the importance of numbers in fiction, film, culture, and religion, including:

How 007 became James Bond's number

Imaginary numbers and how they exist

How the binary system manages to say so much with only two numbers

That bedding has nothing to do with being "three sheets to the wind"

The burning literary question: Why did Ray Bradbury name his novel Fahrenheit 451?

Which block of Social Security numbers will never be assigned to anyone

With Easy as Pi, you'll soon impress your friends with your knowledge of numbers--even if you're math averse. Make this and all of the Blackboard Books(tm) a permanent fixture on your shelf, and you'll have instant access to a breadth of knowledge. Whether you need homework help or want to win that trivia game, this series is the trusted source for fun facts.

About this title

About the Author

Jamie Buchan was educated at Westminster School and is completing a Master of Arts degree in Architectural Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Many of his family members are involved in books: his great-grandfather John Buchan is the prolific novelist famous for The Thirty-Nine Steps; his grandfather D.J. Enright is a well-known Movement poet; and his uncle James Buchan is an award-winning novelist and historical writer. Both of his parents work in publishing.

Edition details

• Publisher: Readers Digest
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1606521349
• ISBN 13: 9781606521342
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 176