W. W. Sawyer (1911–2008)

Great little book that clearly explains the 'why' behind Maths that many teachers (at least mine) seem to skip. Each chapter uses real world examples to illustrate the purpose of the mathematics that can describe it. Arithmetic, geometry, algebra, calculus and trigonometry are all covered. Successive chapters often build on what has gone before, so by the end a lot of the detailed calculus and trig gets quite tricky. But I was only reading it as a kind of reminder of some fundamentals so show more began to skip pages towards the end as I doubt I will ever need to design a tunnel or an electric motor. But if in the unlikely event, I would turn first to this book perhaps.

My book is an old Pelican 1944 reprint of the original published in 1943, hence there are lots of military and war references that give the book a real sense of time. show less

W. W. Sawyer is one of the best -- possibly THE best -- writer of mathematics in a "popularizing" vein. He is [was, I should say] a real teacher at heart, but every inch a true mathematician who knows all of the technical nuances as well. I strongly recommend EVERYTHING this man has written.

See my review of Mathematician's Delight. Basically, anything written by W. W. Sawyer is pure gold, and worth reading. This book shows that Sawyer is just as adept with advanced as with elementary material.

Does not make much sense. Explanations are not clear.