The Big Bang of Numbers

' Who knew numbers could be so charming? ... Suri takes us on a light-hearted journey all the way from nothing (zero) to infinity ' Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves Our universe has multiple origin stories, from religious creation myths to the Big Bang of scientists. But if we leave those behind and start from nothing – no matter, no cosmos, not even empty space – could we create a universe using only maths? In this new mathematical origin story, mathematician and award-winning novelist Manil Suri creates a natural progression of ideas needed to design our world, starting with numbers and continuing through geometry, algebra, and beyond. With evocative and engaging examples ranging from multidimensional crochet to the Mona Lisa’s asymmetrical smile, as well as ingenious storytelling that helps illuminate complex concepts like infinity and relativity, The Big Bang of Numbers charts a playful, inventive course to existence. Distilled from almost four decades of teaching experience, and offering both striking new perspectives for maths aficionados and an accessible introduction for enthusiastic novices, The Big Bang of Numbers proves that we can all fall in love with maths.

' Who knew numbers could be so charming? ... Suri takes us on a light-hearted journey all the way from nothing (zero) to infinity ' Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves Our universe has multiple origin stories, from religious creation myths to the Big Bang of scientists. But if we leave those behind and start from nothing – no matter, no cosmos, not even empty space – could we create a universe using only maths? In this new mathematical origin story, mathematician and award-winning novelist Manil Suri creates a natural progression of ideas needed to design our world, starting with numbers and continuing through geometry, algebra, and beyond. With evocative and engaging examples ranging from multidimensional crochet to the Mona Lisa’s asymmetrical smile, as well as ingenious storytelling that helps illuminate complex concepts like infinity and relativity, The Big Bang of Numbers charts a playful, inventive course to existence. Distilled from almost four decades of teaching experience, and offering both striking new perspectives for maths aficionados and an accessible introduction for enthusiastic novices, The Big Bang of Numbers proves that we can all fall in love with maths.

Finalist for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award "What a fun escape! Reminds me of math books I read when I was coming of age." —Neil deGrasse Tyson An "exhilarating" (Steven Strogatz) tour through the fundamental mathematical concepts—from arithmetic to infinity—that form the building blocks of our universe.

Finalist for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award "What a fun escape! Reminds me of math books I read when I was coming of age." —Neil deGrasse Tyson An "exhilarating" (Steven Strogatz) tour through the fundamental mathematical concepts—from arithmetic to infinity—that form the building blocks of our universe.