Thinking Better

August 30, 2021
“Laziness is our saving grace,” writes mathematician Du Sautoy (The Creativity Code) in this accessible look at thousands of years of mathematical shortcuts. Focusing on 10 different shortcuts, Du Sautoy sets out to prove that finding the quickest way to a solution can grant “complete understanding... without unnecessary hard work.” There’s the “power of spotting a pattern,” which can be used to understand the progression of a pandemic and predicted the existence of the asteroid Ceres. The way humans represent numerical values, meanwhile, from tally marks to the invention of zero, provides a shortcut for counting, and the “language shortcut” that’s used to describe problems lead to the development of algebra. Each chapter begins with a “puzzle” and ends with a “pitstop” that applies patterns to real-world problems, and Du Sautoy masterfully guides readers through complex math behind particle interactions, calculus used to determine spacecraft trajectories, and the “black magic” of Scottish mathematician John Napier’s logarithms. All the while, he’s encouraging about the importance of problem-solving: “Mathematics is a mindset for navigating a complex world and finding the pathway to the other side.” Math-minded readers will find much to consider.