The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure (1997)

by Hans Magnus Enzensberger

Other authors: Rotraut Susanne Berner (Illustrator)

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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Annoyed with his math teacher who assigns word problems and won't let him use a calculator, twelve-year-old Robert finds help from the number devil in his dreams.

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Ik was altijd heel slecht in wiskunde reken maar op de wiskundemeisjes by Jeanine Daems (jodocus)

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This book is about a boy named Robert who is having a very hard time with math and he has various characters that are called number devils visit him. These number devils help introduce Robert into the world of mathematics teaching him the different concepts and operations in a dream-like state. The students would find this more engaging because it introduces math creatively and entertainingly which would grab their attention. This book introduces ideas of all types of numbers and it also helps remove any fear of math. (

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jxm304 | Apr 28, 2024 |

EN: Interesting book but a bit boring. The "Alice in Wonderland" effect is quite mild. I did not like the distortion of the correct names of mathematical concepts.
Overall I was hoping for better.
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IT: Libro interessante ma leggermente noioso. L’effetto “Alice nel paese delle meraviglie” è abbastanza mite. Non mi è piaciuta la storpiatura dei nomi corretti dei concetti matematici.
Nel complesso speravo meglio.
(

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LoScintillio | Nov 18, 2022 |

What I understood was too basic and much of the rest I just didn't get...and this is supposed to be a kid's book?! What a wasted opportunity. (

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ShanLand | Feb 28, 2022 |

This was a very interesting book. Very good book to use in a math class. This book is about a 12- year old boy names Robert. He believes math is not important and a completely waste of time. But during the night Robert is visited by a number devil who shows up in his dreams and shows him that math is fun. He learns about different mathematical concepts, such as, prime numbers, square roots, multiplying numbers, etc. He does this every night and at the end is named a number apprentice. This book would be great to use in math to teach students that math is enjoyable. It allows students to be introduced to math concepts in a lively way. It has great visuals and diagrams which is a plus. (

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Stephh1323 | Oct 11, 2021 |

This is a book about maths brought alive in the dreams of a boy. Initially overwhelmed by the apparent complexity of manipulating numbers, he learns how simple and beautiful mathematics can be. I love it because it’s such a fun approach. ‘Scary’ mathematical terms translated into words you actually want to say and with beautifully illustrations. If you have children, I suggest you read it to them. Slowly, pausing to grasp the mathematics involved and with a pen and paper by your side. (

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KittyCatrinCat | Aug 29, 2021 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Hans Magnus Enzensberger	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Berner, Rotraut Susanne	Illustrator	secondary author	all editions	confirmed
Dyer, Peter	Cover designer	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Fortea, Carlos	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Heim, Michael Henry	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Meeuse, Piet	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

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dtv (62015)

Las tres edades [Siruela] (57)

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Canonical title

Original title

Der Zahlenteufel

Alternative titles

Original publication date

1997

People/Characters

Robert

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Important events

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Epigraph

Dedication

For Theresia

First words

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Disambiguation notice

Publisher's editors

Blurbers

Original language

German

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Wikipedia in English (2)

Michael Henry Heim

The Number Devil

▾Book descriptions

Annoyed with his math teacher who assigns word problems and won't let him use a calculator, twelve-year-old Robert finds help from the number devil in his dreams.

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Roberto è uno dei tanti ragazzi per i quali la matematica è un incubo incomprensibile. Una notte gli appare in sogno un curioso ometto rosso che gli propone straordinari giochi di prestigio: non con le carte, ma con i numeri. Per altre undici notti Roberto si addentra così nell'esplorazione dei sistemi numerici complessi, capisce sempre meglio le leggi e i meccanismi che li governano, incontra Pitagora e Archimede. Scoprirà che la matematica non è affatto la casa noiosa e un po' crudele che si studia a scuola, ma semmai un'avventura entusiasmante. Per Enzensberger la matematica è un mondo immaginario che riserva continue sorprese ed è capace di colpirti con la sua genialità. Questo libro, scritto per una bambina di dieci anni ma destinato ai lettori di tutte le età, ne è la prova.
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