video: A video about the new AMS book, Really Big Numbers, by Richard Evan Schwartz of Brown University. The book introduces young readers to very large numbers, such as a googol. view more
Credit: Video by Nicole Dupuis and Alexander Dupuis.
The American Mathematical Society, one of the world's leading publishers of mathematical literature, will release its first-ever mathematics book for children in May 2014. The book, Really Big Numbers by Richard Evan Schwartz of Brown University, is the latest children's math book from this author.
Schwartz's previous title, You Can Count on Monsters, became an internationally acclaimed bestseller soon after its publication, garnering a prominent feature on NPR in January 2011 and holding the #1 spot on Amazon.com for several days.
Designed for readers six years and up, Really Big Numbers leads math lovers of all ages on an innovative and strikingly illustrated journey through the infinite number system. By means of engaging, imaginative visuals and endearing narration, Schwartz manages the monumental task of presenting the complex concept of Big Numbers in fresh and relatable ways. The book begins with small, easily observable numbers before building up to truly gigantic ones, like a nonillion, a tredecillion, a googol, and even ones too huge for names!
"Getting kids excited about mathematics is an important challenge facing educators and parents in the United States," said Sergei Gelfand, Publisher of the AMS. "We believe it is important that professional mathematicians actively encourage this excitement. As a society of mathematicians, the AMS felt compelled to make this book available to children and their mentors. We are very fortunate to have Schwartz as an author, as he is both a professional mathematician and highly enthusiastic about guiding kids through meaningful and important pieces of mathematics. When we were given the opportunity to publish his book, we jumped at it."
Any person, regardless of age, can benefit from reading this book. Young readers will find themselves returning to its pages for a very long time, perpetually learning from and growing with the narrative as their knowledge deepens. Really Big Numbers is a wonderful enrichment for any math education program and is enthusiastically recommended to every teacher, parent and grandparent, student, child, or other individual interested in exploring the vast universe of numbers.
Video trailer for book: http://bit.ly/1gSpELC
To learn more, visit: http://www.ams.org/reallybignumbers.
Founded in 1888 to further mathematical research and scholarship, today the 30,000 member American Mathematical Society fulfills its mission through programs and services that promote mathematical research and its uses, strengthen mathematical education, and foster awareness and appreciation of mathematics and its connections to other disciplines and to everyday life.