Kalid Azad

I've read quite a few popular maths books in my time, but this is both the shortest and best by quite a way. It takes various fundamental mathematical concepts, such as i, e, Pythogorus theorem, logarithms and calculus, and explains them utterly brilliantly, focusing on concepts, and connections between subjects. Some of the book I knew before, but even so, it is told with such an engaging informal style, and covers such profound mathematical ground that virtually every chapter made my jaw show more drop in astonishment and my grasp of the mathematical ideas broadened and deepened, as if by magic.

I think anyone who has even the remotest interest in maths or any science that uses maths should read this book (or at least explore Kalid Azad's blog).

In fact, I think the book should be read at least twice - it is that brilliant, and actually covers a surprising amount of ground in its crystal-clear way that a second reading is almost inevitable.

I can't recommend this gem of a little book highly enough. show less

...Parents can find their own path to insight here while teachers may find some classroom capsules to enliven lectures. The author tries very hard, almost with exasperation, to avoid any definition without motivation, any explanation with linkage to intuition. Azad excitedly brings light to imaginary numbers as the arithmetic of rotation, natural logarithms in terms of time to grow, and exponentials as growth over time...

[see my entire review up at MAA Reviews]

I am developing a strong inclination towards understanding the basic concepts of mathematics. I'm looking for books and blogs that quench this thirst of mine. I hit Khalid's blog - it was like a whole new world.

Here are some of the things I learnt:
1. Pythagoras theorem is not just about right triangles, but lot more than that.
2. What radians really are and the insights into trigonometry. His website talks trigonometry in lot more detail and that was mind blowing.
3. It's about 'i' - I never show more understood complex numbers and it's use. This book demystifies 'i'.
4. The exponent e and the plethora of its uses and implications.

I know the author has a book on Calculus as well and I'll definitely read it. Khalid, any plans to write a book about Statistics? I'm sure thousands will be enlightened by your way of thinking the most common and yet the least understood subject of probability. show less