The Boy who Loved Math
by Deborah Heiligman · first published 2013
67% recommend33% neutral
Most people think of mathematicians as solitary, working away in isolation. And, it's true, many of them do. But Paul Erdos never followed the usual path. At the age of four, he could ask you when you were born and then calculate the number of seconds you had been alive in his head. But he didn't learn to butter his own bread until he turned twenty. Instead, he traveled around the world, from one mathematician to the next, collaborating on an astonishing number of publications. With a simple, lyrical text and richly layered illustrations, this is a beautiful introduction to the world of math a
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There's a children's book called The Boy Who Loved Math: The improbable life of Paul Erdös [0]. I ordered a copy when looking for some books to get my son interested in math beyond counting and simple arithmetic. My son is 3 1/2, and he loves this book. He…
on “The Man Who Loved Only Numbers (1998)” ↗There is an IMO outstandingly illustrated children's book about Erdős, "The Boy Who Loved Math" by Deborah Heiligman and LeUyen Pham [1]. Really witty, but also moving. I think it depicts really well why it makes sense to accept "strange people". [1]: https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Loved-Math-Improbable/dp/1596...…
on “The Mathematical Nomad, Paul Erdős” ↗…that would focus on the more interesting problems in math, rather than just counting. I was happy to find a few books that have helped him see math as more than just counting. My favorite so far is The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos. [0] I knew of Erdos, but I didn't know much about him. I learned from reading this book, and my kid loves it as well. He is fascinated with aging, and he now sees it…
on “Most Math Problems Do Not Have a Unique Right Answer” ↗For anyone with kids, there's a great children's book about Erdös called "The Boy Who Loved Math". I read it to my kid for the first time when he was 2 or 3, and he loved it. It got us to start talking about prime numbers in a fun way long before I would have started talking to him about them. It…
on “Paul Erdős: a life that added up to something (1996)” ↗We got him the Turing Tumble [0] last year, and he loved it. He'll take years to work through all the challenges. I found The Boy Who Loved Math [1] years ago, and now he reads that on his own. [0] - https://www.turingtumble.com [1] - https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Loved-Math-Improbable/dp/1596...
on “Ask HN: Any math-focused gift recommendations for kids?” ↗To me, "The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos" [1] by Deborah Heiligman and LeUyen Pham is a true gem. I suppose it might raise interesting discussions on how and why one should tolerate eccentric people. A book…
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite toddler books?” ↗Have you seen The Boy Who Loved Math? It's a bio of Paul Erdos written for kids, and we've really enjoyed it. http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Loved-Math-Improbable/dp/15964...
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2015?” ↗My son is 6 now, and he has loved these two books since he was about 3: The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos - https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Loved-Math-Improbable/dp/1596... Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late - https://www.amazon.com/Bedtime-Math-Excuse-Stay-Late/dp/1250...…
on “Ask HN: What are some great books for children?” ↗There is a truly wonderful children's book about Erdos, "The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos" by Deborah Heiligman and LeUyen Pham: https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Loved-Math-Improbable/dp/1596... I think this book really shines in showing why it makes sense…
on “Paul Erdős, the most prolific mathematician” ↗…(Probably due to differences in ages). It's amazing to see the influence Paul Erdős had on people. There is a children's story (that I read to my kids) about his incredible life. http://www.amazon.com/The-Boy-Who-Loved-Math/dp/1596433078
on “Terence Tao solves the Erdős Discrepancy Problem” ↗