The Handy Math Answer Book

April 15, 2012

As with the first edition, this text is divided into several broad categories, such as "The History of Mathematics," that include question-and-answer format entries, e.g., "Who was the first recorded female mathematician?" and "What are the basic Roman numerals and how are they used?" The material is well illustrated with charts, diagrams, tables, and photographs, and a helpful "Mathematical Resources" section lists organizations and societies, museums, periodicals, websites, and films. Unfortunately, neither author has a background in mathematics. While they have coauthored several science titles (The Handy Geology Answer Book; A Paranoid's Ultimate Survival Guide: Dust Mites to Meteorites, Tsunamis to Ticks, Killer Clouds to Jellyfish, Solar Flares to Salmonella), Barnes-Svarney is better known for titles in the "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Star Trek" series. In some cases, the material here takes the easy way out. Under "What Is Relativity?" the response is "It is not easy to verbally explain the intricacies of Einstein's theory." At the opposite end of the spectrum are baffling explanations. For example, the answer to "What is Ohm's Law?" is "It states that direct current flowing in a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference between its ends." Lastly, other than rearrangement, there has been precious little revision since the 2005 edition. VERDICT Consider instead Richard Elwes's Mathematics 1001 (Firefly Books, 2010).--Michael Bemis, Washington Cty. Lib., Woodbury, MN

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2012

Gr 10 Up-Students who have wondered, "What is the 'music of the spheres'?"; "How do astronomers determine the distances to the stars?"; or "What is a problem with our modern calendar?" can find the answers to those questions and many more in this engaging work. The text is clear and concise and is understandable to lay readers, while not oversimplified. The question-and-answer entries are arranged in chapters such as "Math Basics," "Algebra," "Applied Mathematics," "Math in the Physical Sciences," "Everyday Math," and "Recreational Math." Illustrations are varied and include tables and charts that enhance and clarify the text and photographs, engravings, and drawings of famous mathematicians. This worthwhile resource will provide valuable background information to budding math experts; teachers will also enjoy posing these questions to their students.-Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.