How Not to Be Wrong

This book is not about computing, but it is relevant in an indirect way. I love this book, since it is written in such an engaging style and illustrates with many examples that math is not a dry subject to be practiced only by mathematicians but helps everyone to solve real-world problems. The book shows how important it is to be precise in describing problems and that applying a little mathematical rigor goes a long way in solving them. Ellenberg describes mathematics as the “extension of common sense by other means.” In a similar way, I view computer science as… show more.

The world is a complicated place, and it is often difficult to see it clearly. Mathematical tools like logic and proofs let us understand it better. This popular book is a more modern and less technical primer in thinking about the world through a mathematical lens. 

For many readers, it will open the eyes as to why much of that math you learned in school was there in the first place, and refresh your thinking about it. Statistical reasoning is particularly important in today’s data-driven world, and this book will help you realize when someone is lying to you through… show more.

This is the only book about math that has ever caused me to laugh out loud. For Ellenberg, a mathematician at the University of Wisconsin, math is not a set of techniques we learn in school but a commonsensical way of looking at the world. And since we all do it anyway, we might as well learn to do it right, or we will end up very very wrong.

Ever looked at a regular pattern and assumed that it will continue that way indefinitely? Ellenberg suggests you pay attention to that missile, which for the first part of its flight… show more.