Buy new:
-42% $31.99
FREE delivery Wednesday, August 28 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$31.99 with 42 percent savings
List Price: $54.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Wednesday, August 28 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 1 hr 25 mins
In Stock
$$31.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$31.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$12.80
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
Ships directly from Amazon. Pages and cover are intact but spine may show signs of wear. Dust cover may be missing. Pages may have limited notes or highlighting. May contain handwritten note or name on inside cover. Ships directly from Amazon. Pages and cover are intact but spine may show signs of wear. Dust cover may be missing. Pages may have limited notes or highlighting. May contain handwritten note or name on inside cover. See less
FREE delivery Wednesday, August 28 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$31.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$31.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Ships from
Amazon
Ships from
Amazon
Sold by
Sold by
Condition
Used - Good
Condition
Used - Good
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Book of Numbers Corrected Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 90 ratings

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$31.99","priceAmount":31.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"31","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"5mIcsi3FWehoKCttOKk0IGxscrK9Bk6d41K32HvAbHsK1pMOCoOmcyPWrSJrnOzWax7yvai3Y5c7CsgiGekUsKwM1ARGbVXAY%2BAcG6KWjOfVc8vdcJt5nJ3SUJSQ35ok7RZcQPd1IO4%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$12.80","priceAmount":12.80,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"80","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"5mIcsi3FWehoKCttOKk0IGxscrK9Bk6dPy3LtMKTLAp%2BIYZHrdy0YMgqgGMK42TNK%2FDyzV7LyUt4AkWd5jplTXYOfglNGMuZpE0dCg0EU7XX4AkmshOlzd1%2B%2FTlaG%2FZBXewz1bM45rnglw9ZTORF8k3kxIg5Wi1qczginkeuA48uSeUPO0fKMzBdiEEchp8r","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

"...the great feature of the book is that anyone can read it without excessive head scratching...You'll find plenty here to keep you occupied, amused, and informed. Buy, dip in, wallow." -IAN STEWART, NEW SCIENTIST
"...a delightful look at numbers and their roles in everything from language to flowers to the imagination." -SCIENCE NEWS
"...a fun and fascinating tour of numerical topics and concepts. It will have readers contemplating ideas they might never have thought were understandable or even possible." -WISCONSIN BOOKWATCH
"This popularization of number theory looks like another classic." -LIBRARY JOURNAL

Your Company Bookshelf
Save time and resources when buying books in bulk Learn more

Frequently bought together

This item: The Book of Numbers
$31.99
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Aug 28
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
$19.99
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Aug 28
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
$49.95
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Aug 28
Only 2 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by 🚀QuickyShipper📚 and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
spCSRF_Control
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Book of Numbers lets readers of all levels of mathematical sophistication (or lack thereof) understand the origins, patterns, and interrelationships of different numbers. Whether it is a visualization of the Catalan numbers or an explanation of how the Fibonacci numbers occur in nature, there is something in here to delight everyone. The diagrams and pictures, many of which are in color, make this book particularly appealing and fun. A few of the discussions may be confusing to those who are not adept mathematicians; those who are may be irked that certain facts are mentioned without an accompanying proof. Nonetheless, The Book of Numbers will succeed in infecting any reader with an enthusiasm for numbers.

From Library Journal

The authors are well known to both academic and recreational mathematicians?Conway for inventing the "game of life" and discovering surreal numbers and Guy as the editor of the "Unsolved Problems" section in American Mathematical Monthly. They also coauthored the classic Winning Ways for Your Mathematical Plays (Academic, 1982). This popularization of number theory looks like another classic. Though number theory does not lend itself to fun and games, the authors take such joy in the order and patterns of numbers that you can't help being fascinated by what is actually a fairly difficult subject. A combination of clear verbal explanations, wonderfully clever diagrams, and equations (for the real mathematicians) make sometimes complicated numerical concepts accessible to those "without particular mathematical background" (i.e., who are not at least graduate students in mathematics). The material is simplified but not dumbed down. A bridge to understanding and appreciating higher mathematical concepts, this book could appeal to anyone from a mathematically sophisticated high school student to a university mathematics professor.?Amy Brunvand, Univ. of Utah Lib., Salt Lake City
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Copernicus; Corrected edition (March 16, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 319 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 038797993X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0387979939
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.57 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4 x 1 x 9.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 90 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
John Horton Conway
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
90 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the content thoughtful, well-presented, and an invitation to stretch their brains. They also describe the book as great fun, accessible to intelligent people, and understandable. However, some customers report issues with the cover quality, describing it as a low quality hardcover.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

11 customers mention "Content"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the content of the book enjoyable, tantalizing, and well presented. They also say the images and diagrams help enforce learning and make it fun. Customers also mention the book is an invitation to stretch their brains and has a perfect cover.

"...other drawings and diagrams make the topics very understandable and tantalizing...." Read more

"...relations using geometric isomorphisms making this book imaginary, transcendental, surreal, infinite, fun!" Read more

"...Chapters 1 and 2, especially, create vivid images that bring many of their concepts to life. I had a bit of trouble finding ch.3's focus...." Read more

"...It is not just about numbers; it is about many aspects of real math. I so love it that I got two copies, one at home, the other at work...." Read more

4 customers mention "Entertainment value"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book great fun and accessible to intelligent readers.

"...making this book imaginary, transcendental, surreal, infinite, fun!" Read more

"...The later parts of the book were clear, readable, and even enjoyable, but didn't match the breadth or vividness of the first half...." Read more

"...understand and the images and diagrams help enforce learning and make it fun. This should be in every high school." Read more

"Great fun, accessible to an intelligent person with even a modest familiarity with math. I got this one as a gift for an engineer friend...." Read more

3 customers mention "Comprehensibility"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the topics in the book understandable and tantalizing. They also appreciate the diagrams.

"...illustrations, the other drawings and diagrams make the topics very understandable and tantalizing...." Read more

"...The later parts of the book were clear, readable, and even enjoyable, but didn't match the breadth or vividness of the first half...." Read more

"Great fun, accessible to an intelligent person with even a modest familiarity with math. I got this one as a gift for an engineer friend...." Read more

3 customers mention "Book cover quality"0 positive3 negative

Customers are dissatisfied with the book cover quality. They mention that the hardcover is of low quality, the binding is awful, and the paper is of poor quality.

"...My surprise is this book is using a low quality cover named Tape Bound, a low price type of cover. Is there any difference? yes!..." Read more

"Binding is awful cheap one. Paper is of bad quality. Print is as if it was printed on a cheap matrix printer." Read more

"Horrible - the beginning of Chapter 2 is a prime example of confusion both textually and graphically...." Read more

An amazing book under a low quality hardcover
3 out of 5 stars
An amazing book under a low quality hardcover
This is an amazing book. A marvel in my humble oppinion!. I continuously get it in public or private libraries. This book is printed by Copernicus, and inprint of Springer-Verlang. Normally, this book is with perfect cover. All the editions in library are using Hardcover or Case bound: "Standard binding used for hardcover books. Several different types to choose from, but typically involves inside pages being sewn together in sections. These are then glued to end papers which are glued to covers spine.." Then, now I decided to buy this book in hardcover(case bound), in order to have this marble in my personal library.My surprise is this book is using a low quality cover named Tape Bound, a low price type of cover. Is there any difference? yes! the future of the book is compromised, because this case can break due the lack of flexibility. On the other side, this low quality case do not have a good affordance, as for example, to read the book while standing up.Quality of paper for the pages of the book is compromised too: the current edition is using traditional photocopy paper bound that affects the resolution and quality of letters, while the original/traditional editions in public and private libraries are in high quality paper.I feel like I received a copy of a book made in illegal places for photocopies. I feel I do not received and original copy.I attached a photo of the original binding compared with the binding this seller send to me.
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2008
I own a lot of books on Mathematics and Mathematical topics. This book truly is my favorite. The color illustrations, the other drawings and diagrams make the topics very understandable and tantalizing. The section on infinite and infinitesimal numbers alone, has inspired me to submit a paper on this subject to a Mathematics Journal. This book will cause anyone who is not already a Mathphile, to quikly become one. Take a look at the middle numbers in Pascals Triangle....with a little manipulation of this sequence, you produce CATALAN NUMBERS, which further leads to a number of interesting problems with Friezes and Polygons, none of which are mind bending in their demand of your mental powers. The chapters are all short, and you can open the book at random and find something very nice to dine on. BUY THIS ONE! Dr.Pratt.
13 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2018
We are in 1995, Conway is showing off numbers. Many of them. He warms us up pointing out that civilization has been using numbers everywhere and there are a bunch of composed words out there. And it took a great intellectual leap to see numbers as abstract entities. Then the numbers zoo broke loose. Many clever people started to create recipes for sequences of numbers. The fun here comes from the relations among numbers and geometric forms. Conway very often explains these relations using geometric isomorphisms making this book imaginary, transcendental, surreal, infinite, fun!
3 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2005
Conway and Guy start this book with an enticing survey of how numbers pervade the English language, showing the hidden (or not-so-hidden) numerical roots of common words. They also mention other numbering systems, including the Roman numerals, Greek, Egyptian, and cuneiform Babylonian - numbers that persist in our 60-based measures of minutes and seconds, in both time and angle.

Next, they move into squares, triangular numbers, and many others with rich geometric meanings. Chapters 1 and 2, especially, create vivid images that bring many of their concepts to life. I had a bit of trouble finding ch.3's focus. It touches briefly combinatorics, a world in itself, and difference techniques. I found "Jackson's Fan" fascinating, but too terse for easy application to real problems. After this, the going gets a lot tougher, fast.

By ch 4, "Famous Families," the illustration is no longer as vivid as before. Ch. 6, on fractions and decimal expansions also held some interest - it touches on complexity in the decimal forms of fractions, and the numeric roots from which it springs. The section on continued fractions is only just enough to titillate without really enlightening. Discussion of imaginary numbers is OK, and offers some enjoyable insights. The section on quaternions, though, does a lot less to invite personal involvement and stir the imagination. Later sections of the book present readable surveys of their topics, but require a lot more form the reader in the way of determination and mathematical background.

If the whole book sustained the initial energy, it would have been an instant classic. The later parts of the book were clear, readable, and even enjoyable, but didn't match the breadth or vividness of the first half. I enjoyed this, but I may not come back to it.

//wiredweird
47 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2019
This is one of my favorite MATH books, the ideas from which I use for children, teachers, and friends in addition to personal entertainment. It is not just about numbers; it is about many aspects of real math. I so love it that I got two copies, one at home, the other at work. Prof. Conway is "a genius at work!" (book title about his love of math and life).
One person found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2000
This is a delightful survey of numbers clearly aimed at as wide an audience as possible. However, as is always the case in such books the book is more formidable than it intends or than it looks. Still it is very friendly especially compared with, say, "Numbers" by Ebbinghays et al. The coverage is wide: primes, reals, Cayley numbers, Eisenstein numbers, polygonal numbers, catalan numbers, Stirling numbers of both types and of course Bell numbers. There are the cardinals and ordinals of Cantor as well as Conway's own surreal numbers. (And an earlier reviewer was correct about misprints and color problems.) I recommend this to anyone whose mathematical maturity is at least as great as basic calculus (and who is interested).
31 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2019
This is an amazing book. A marvel in my humble oppinion!. I continuously get it in public or private libraries. This book is printed by Copernicus, and inprint of Springer-Verlang. Normally, this book is with perfect cover. All the editions in library are using Hardcover or Case bound: "Standard binding used for hardcover books. Several different types to choose from, but typically involves inside pages being sewn together in sections. These are then glued to end papers which are glued to covers spine.." Then, now I decided to buy this book in hardcover(case bound), in order to have this marble in my personal library.
My surprise is this book is using a low quality cover named Tape Bound, a low price type of cover. Is there any difference? yes! the future of the book is compromised, because this case can break due the lack of flexibility. On the other side, this low quality case do not have a good affordance, as for example, to read the book while standing up.
Quality of paper for the pages of the book is compromised too: the current edition is using traditional photocopy paper bound that affects the resolution and quality of letters, while the original/traditional editions in public and private libraries are in high quality paper.
I feel like I received a copy of a book made in illegal places for photocopies. I feel I do not received and original copy.
I attached a photo of the original binding compared with the binding this seller send to me.
Customer image
3.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book under a low quality hardcover
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2019
This is an amazing book. A marvel in my humble oppinion!. I continuously get it in public or private libraries. This book is printed by Copernicus, and inprint of Springer-Verlang. Normally, this book is with perfect cover. All the editions in library are using Hardcover or Case bound: "Standard binding used for hardcover books. Several different types to choose from, but typically involves inside pages being sewn together in sections. These are then glued to end papers which are glued to covers spine.." Then, now I decided to buy this book in hardcover(case bound), in order to have this marble in my personal library.
My surprise is this book is using a low quality cover named Tape Bound, a low price type of cover. Is there any difference? yes! the future of the book is compromised, because this case can break due the lack of flexibility. On the other side, this low quality case do not have a good affordance, as for example, to read the book while standing up.
Quality of paper for the pages of the book is compromised too: the current edition is using traditional photocopy paper bound that affects the resolution and quality of letters, while the original/traditional editions in public and private libraries are in high quality paper.
I feel like I received a copy of a book made in illegal places for photocopies. I feel I do not received and original copy.
I attached a photo of the original binding compared with the binding this seller send to me.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
21 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2017
This is a great book for a graduate mathematician or computer scientist. It's also a great gift item to a smart young person who wants to learn but needs an inspiration. There's algebra a 15 year old could understand and the images and diagrams help enforce learning and make it fun. This should be in every high school.
One person found this helpful
Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
doug hone
5.0 out of 5 stars Count On This For Enjoyment
Reviewed in Canada on November 14, 2023
I have no problem writing this 5 star recommend after only reading 2 chapters. The enjoyment is the attention to detail - detail I haven't found in any of the many general interest math books in my collection. This book is for all levels of math ability. Those at the low end like myself will find enjoyment reading this with a pencil in hand to help follow the logic. This book pairs well with a hot tea or coffee. Enjoy.
joe
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in India on May 29, 2021
The quality of the book was in top condition and the content is unparallel. Every budding mathematician should own this one, this book is a rare gem brought about by two of finest mathematician of their time.
Carlos
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating for the mathematically curious
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 27, 2019
This book is written at a level someone with a high school- / secondary school-level education in mathematics would find extremely accessible, but touches on topics that go beyond that or fill out gaps that the reader might not even know existed in their mathematical knowledge. From precisely where the mouse was as it ran up the clock to how cannonballs stack or how there are more infinities than you can count, there's something in here for almost anyone who is mathematically inclined.
4 people found this helpful
Report
Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Un ottimo libro per chi ama i numeri
Reviewed in Italy on July 30, 2016
Il libro ha pienamente soddisfatto le mie aspettative. La trattazione è progressiva, a partire da argomenti semplici a quelli più complessi e ciascun capitolo conclude stimolando approfondimenti individuali. È un'ottima base per affrontare testi più complessi. La maggior parte dei capitoli può essere affrontata con una preparazione di scuola media superiore, conoscenze a livello universitario possono essere utili per comprendere meglio alcuni argomenti ad esempio i numeri complessi. Peccato non sia più disponibile in lingua italiana, ma una conoscenza scolastica dell'inglese può essere sufficiente per la sua lettura
Willy Van den Driessche
3.0 out of 5 stars A good book on integers but lacking meat
Reviewed in France on October 25, 2010
This book will guide your through a lot of the special numbers, prime, Euler, Gauss, Eisenstein, ... and some constants.
The book is Ok, but it will never go deep into a specific topic. It explains something and then leaves you thirsty for more. It is also not a book for novices since - unwillingly- it assumes a lot of knowledge already. But for the expert it is not deep enough so I think it lacks a public. The quality of the book is also not such that I would recommend it. The graphics are correct but need the hand of a designer to make them digestible. A good book, but not one I would recommend.
4 people found this helpful
Report