If you are not a mathematician, or someone with significant experience, training, or use of mathematics, it is likely you will feel little joy advancing through the pages of this book. Although there are presentations of interesting aspects of mathematics not usually part of most basic math classes, the authors frequently digress into extensive analysis and explanations with a multitude of equations, charts and tables. Clearly those significantly interested in this type of detail, will find enjoyment.

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There are some interesting (for the layperson) elements such as determining if a number is divisible by 3, 9, or 11, although you will have to remember the mechanism. As the explanations progress from “Arithmetic Novelties,” “Algebraic Explanations of Accepted Concepts,” and “Geometric Curiosities,” the details and reasons given to clarify the subtopics gets increasingly complex; at times with equations, at times with sentences that at times seem to move (jump?) rapidly leaving the layperson behind. Some of the topics can have ordinary application such as in the “Probability Applied to Everyday Experiences,” the bridal phenomenon, the Monty Hall Problem, and poker wild-card paradox. Some shorter interesting elements are origins of mathematical symbols, the rule of 72, and possibly mathematics of bicycle gears. Overall, it is suggested you only delve into this book if you truly have a significant interest and understanding of mathematics.

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