Illustrated Theory of NumbersMartin H. Weissman
Illustrated Theory of Numbers
by Martin H. Weissman · first published 2017
6mentions
6recommended by
6HN commenters
2017–2022first – last mentioned
100% recommend
Why HN recommends it
A visually rich introduction to number theory that presents ideas through illustrations and a historically respectful approach. It is beautiful and suited to motivated high schoolers and self-learners.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
An Illustrated Theory of Numbers gives a comprehensive introduction to number theory, with complete proofs, worked examples, and exercises. Its exposition reflects the most recent scholarship in mathematics and its history.
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If you like pictures, another couple nice books are Nathan Carter’s Visual Group Theory and Marty Weissman’s Illustrated Theory of Numbers, both of which should be accessible to motivated high school students. http://web.bentley.edu/empl/c/ncarter/vgt/ http://illustratedtheoryofnumbers.com
on “Ask HN: Recommend a maths book for a teenager?” ↗I love visual math like this so much. I had a professor at my alma mater, UC Santa Cruz, who made a textbook called “Illustrated Theory of Numbers”, and it’s just beautiful. Marty Weissman, check it out sometime
on “How to fold a Julia fractal (2013)” ↗tl;dr: ‘… I am convinced that “translating” Euclid into modern algebraic notation is historically destructive … In writing the Illustrated Theory of Numbers, I am trying to give respect to history. … In the style of Tufte …’ Do check out the published page spread previews of this book-in-progress: they’re beautiful!
on “Illustrated Theory of Numbers (2012–…) [book, work-in-progress]” ↗My 13 year old and I have through parts of the first three chapters of "An Illustrated Theory of Numbers". I would reckon that if your student is motivated and at upper high school level, they would have the sophistication to go at it alone. It is just a beautiful book also, with lots of exercises and the…
on “Ask HN: Recommend a maths book for a teenager?” ↗I recently gifted Illustrated Theory of Numbers to a friend, and it is indeed beautifully illustrated. I would also recommend "Prime Numbers and the Riemann Hypothesis" for its illustrations and exposition [1]. [1] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1107499437
on “Ask HN: Recommend a maths book for a teenager?” ↗…math and science. One approach which might be appealing to them and to the school is to change the focus from cryptocurrency to cryptography. You can google "cryptography for kids" or aim them at the "Illustrated Theory of Numbers" which covers prime factorization in chapter 2. Cryptography is the foundation of all blockchain and cryptocurrency tech and (I believe) will only grow in importance in the future. (BTW, there are some…
on “Ask HN: Home schooled boys got elective approval to work on crypto” ↗