Math Cats - by Daniel M Look (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Math + cats = an infinitely more entertaining exploration of the concepts and principles that are the foundation of our understanding of mathematics.

In Math Cats, mathematician and professor Daniel Look, along with a clowder of his feline friends, reveals the charming connections between mathematics and cats with 22 fun and fur-filled lessons. We know all cats are cute, but only some are acute. Others are obtuse (no offense) and more are always right (and never let you forget it), as you'll learn by exploring how kitties represent different types of angles. When they curl out for a mid-day catnap, they perfectly represent the concept of a golden spiral. And when they squeeze into too small boxes or balls, they're providing a geometric lesson in topological equivalence.

Packed with illustrations, this collection of proofs, theorems, and formulas is equal parts delightful and educational, and perfectly sized for your own cat to knock off our bookshelf.

Review Quotes

"Daniel M. Look--1 Ph.D., 4 cats, and 20 math-related tattoos--wants to demystify math, with feline help.
Who hasn't looked at their cat curled in a catnap and thought, oh, so perfectly shaped? Look sees the golden spiral, or a furry fractal. . . . With whimsical drawings by Johanna Breuch, and side notes like why Pythagoras died avoiding a field of fava beans, Daniel M. Look has written a delightful book for both math nerds and math-phobes--and, of course, ailurophiles"--Shelf Awareness

"This enjoyable and fun volume makes abstract concepts easy to understand. Highly recommended for anyone who hates math and/or loves cats."--Library Journal

About the Author

Daniel Look grew up in Harrington, a small town on the coast of Maine. He spent his summers raking blueberries and his winters making wreathes. He earned his undergraduate and master's degrees in mathematics from the University of Maine and his PhD in mathematics from Boston University, specializing in complex dynamics. He is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Mathematics at St. Lawrence University, a liberal arts college in Canton, New York, where he teaches a variety of undergraduate mathematics courses. Dan lives in Potsdam, New York, with his amazing wife and four indefatigable cats. In his spare time he can be found either at Jernabi Coffeehouse or the Potsdam Humane Society.