Build a Mathematical Mind - Even If You Think You Can't Have One: Become a Pattern Detective. Boost Your Critical and Logical Thinking Skills. (Advanced Thinking Skills) Paperback – January 29, 2023

This is a great book to read alongside "Making Numbers Count: The Art and Science of Communicating Numbers".What i love about this book is that it brings out that math involves asking "what if" and experimenting with those "what ifs". I don't know about you but math was presented to me in school as a finite system with only one answer/approach.The solution is for schools to create an environment that is conducive to divergent thinking, or as Sir Kem puts it, "the ability to see lots of possible answers to a question, lots of possible ways of interpreting a question". In other words, the author argues that problem-solving skills should be emphasized in math the way they are in other liberal disciplines and he presents various methods that teach you how to do this throughout the book.These methods consist of the following:1. Develop a mathematical habit2. Become a better pattern detective3. Use probability and experimentation4. Describe and speak in the language of math.5. Tinker6. Invent7. VIsualize8. GuessThe author presents these methods in layman's terms and even presents simple exercises you can do to start applying them.Further, the author brings out how the creative process used to process music/art etc. is the same process used to process mathematics. In fact, some mathematicians have claimed that their critical discoveries came to them while sleeping (similar to a lot of brilliant musicians).In other words, everyone has the ability to learn and process mathematics, there isn't some unique aspect/attribute that you need to understand math.But ye I would recommend this book to anybody. IT breaks down the flaws in the current American mathematical education system, how to address these flaws, and how you can embrace/lov

Rutherford does an admirable job of telling us how mathematicians think about the world, but it ended too quickly and didn't really tell us how to do math. Perhaps his plan was to leave us wanting more and to persuade us to buy another of his books on a similar topic. If that was his goal, he really does think like a mathematician.

Many people have a complicated relationship with math. I think that's mostly because of bad teachers... as this book points it out, there are so many life areas where mathematical logic is used that have nothing to do with the numbers. Granted, one has to understand the basic principles of arithmetics - but basic basic, like how does addition or subtraction work. And you don't have to calculate in your head how much 14856+24321 is - although you can, and I learned in this book how. Point being, there is more to math than equations and geometry calculations. Really liked the chapters on tinkering and guessing. Good read overall. Would recommend it to everyone who likes to learn new things and train their minds in a chill way.

This book emphasizes the need for mathematical thinking in our everyday lives. While I tend to analyze every purchase and daily problem, I've gotten lazy since retirement, often finding myself reaching for a computer or a calculator for decision-making information. This book got me back to proper analysis techniques.This isn't a book read for entertainment; it rather falls into a self-help category.

A wonderful book by an excellent writer. Your ability to understand and work with numbers will be enhanced by reading it. On the same topic I strongly recommend Innumeracy by John Paulos. Numbers are wonderful.

There was nothing useful in the book. The author's views on the wretched state of teaching math are not useful toward, "building a mathematical mind." I learned - literally - nothing of value to me. I am disappointed and sorry that I threw my money down a rat hole. I have no idea of who *would* profit from reading this book. Vague references to pattern detection without rigorous efforts to demonstrate such a skill were disappointing.

I really love the way the topics were Presented. It was easy to follow and understand. I know I have a new appreciation For how important mathematics is In our daily lives. I highly recommend it. Thanks a lot.

I never liked math. It was never easy for me to learn, but apparently I'm not the only one. In Albert Rutherford's book he mentions, "Ask any adult how they feel about math, and, aside from a few math enthusiasts, you’ll get a lot of lukewarm responses. People may say, “Ugh, I hated math,” or “I was never good at math!" That's definitely me. Buy I did find the book useful, however, I wish he'd provided more tips.