The Math Gene: How Mathematical Thinking Evolved And Why Numbers Are Like Gossip

Keith Devlin

521 ratings by Goodreads

Language: English

Published by Basic Books, 2001

0465016197 / 9780465016198

  • Softcover
  • Used
See all details

Seller: World of Books Inc, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.World of Books Inc

4-star seller

AbeBooks seller since March 23, 2026

View this seller's items
Softcover

Condition: Used - Very good

US$ 6.05

 Free Shipping 
Ships within U.S.A.

Quantity: 2 available

Add to basket
Free 30-day returns

Item description from seller

Why is math so hard? And why, despite this difficulty, are some people so good at it? If there's some inborn capacity for mathematical thinking,which there must be, otherwise no one could do it ,why can't we all do it well? Keith Devlin has answers to all these difficult questions, and in giving them shows us how mathematical ability evolved, why it's a part of language ability, and how we can make better use of this innate talent.He also offers a breathtakingly new theory of language development,that language evolved in two stages, and its main purpose was not communication,to show that the ability to think mathematically arose out of the same symbol-manipulating ability that was so crucial to the emergence of true language. Why, then, can't we do math as well as we can speak? The answer, says Devlin, is that we can and do,we just don't recognize when we're using mathematical reasoning.

Seller Inventory # CIN0465016197VG

Title
The Math Gene: How Mathematical Thinking Evolved And Why Numbers Are Like Gossip
Author
Keith Devlin
Publisher
Basic Books
Publication year
2001
Condition
Very Good
Binding
Paperback
Language
English
ISBN 10
0465016197
ISBN 13
9780465016198

World of Books Inc

Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.

4-star seller

AbeBooks seller since March 23, 2026

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Item4 to 12 business days3 to 6 business days
First itemUS$ 0.00US$ 10.95
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Payment methods

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay

Store description

Founded in 2002, World of Books is a leading online destination for buying and selling both preloved and new books, committed to making sustainable reading accessible to all. With a mission to help people read more and waste less, World of Books offers a huge range of affordable, high-quality books — giving both new and preloved titles a second life. The company also operates World of Books – Sell Your Books, an easy-to-use platform that allows customers to trade in unwanted books for cash, helping to keep books in circulation while promoting sustainability. As a Certified B Corp, World of Books is driven by a vision to become the world’s largest and most sustainable dedicated online bookstore. The company measures its success through the positive environmental impact it creates, the value it provides to customers, and its ability to operate profitably while supporting its sustainable mission …

Specialty

Second Hand - All Genre

Seller's business information

SBYB, Inc.

900 Knell Road
Montgomery, IL U.S.A. 60538