Asimov on Numbers
by Isaac Asimov · first published 1977
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4HN commenters
2013–2021first – last mentioned
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In his clear, informal, engaging style, Isaac Asimov explains historic brainteasers and numerical oddities in the fascinating universe of numbers. From man's first act of counting to higher mathematics, from the smallest living creature to the dazzling reaches of outer space, Asimov is a master at "explaining complex material better than any other living person." (The New York Times) You'll learn: HOW to make a trillion seem small; WHY imaginary numbers are real; THE real size of the universe - in photons; WHY the zero isn't "good for nothing;" AND many other marvelous discoveries, in ASIMOV O
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…Rings (all saga) The Prince De Bello Gallico and Other Commentaries The Design of Everyday Things The Riverworld (an entire saga of 5 books) On the Good Life Treatises on Friendship and Old Age Asimov On Numbers Asimov on Chemistry The Roman Republic And hundreds more I cannot list.
on “Ask HN: Which books changed your life?” ↗…like this: 3452 3423 4665 2324 2324 7322 It is much much easier to read. 90~95% of the time were numbers (or even characters!) are listed, nobody splits them. This I learned in Isaac Asimov's book "Asimov on Numbers" IIRC. Great book by the way.
on “Show HN: I wrote a book about UI [pdf]” ↗I remember to read the answer of this in an Isaac Asimov's book: Asimov On Numbers.
on “Where and When Did the Symbols "+" and "–" Originate?” ↗…https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=observable+uni... . While it does increase, it seems to continue the trend which started in the 1940s. Here's an example of Asimov using "Observable Universe" in "Asimov on Numbers" (1977): https://books.google.com/books?id=el0PAQAAMAAJ&q=observable+... .
on “Hubble's star refuses to fade” ↗Thanks! I haven't yet read "Asimov on Numbers", but I just bought a used copy, I appreciate the recommendation. And I don't have an email list yet specifically for this project, but if I get this book off the ground I'll definitely be sending an…
on “Ask HN: Is anyone familiar with the Asimov estate?” ↗