The World of Numbers

Originally published in 1946, this book explains important aspects of the world through the lens of mathematics. McKay discusses important questions such as time, the size of the earth and 'numbers that mean too much' in language that is enthusiastic and easily accessible to non-mathematicians. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of mathematics.

Preface; 1. A girdle round about the Earth; 2. The trials of geographers; 3. The arithmetic of great rivers; 4. Widdershins; 5. The all-composing hour; 6. Ellipses and orbits; 7. Proportions in the stars; 8. The Earth in a balance; 9. The prodigal sun; 10. Magnitudes of the stars; 11. Symbols; 12. Squaring the circle; 13. The ghost quantity; 14. Poets' numbers; 15. Numbers that mean too much; 16. Was man made by the Earth?