DAILY PHOTO: St. John’s Church, Kolkata

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Taken in December 2021 in Kolkata

Preening Egret [Haiku]

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the preening egret
twists its head under wing;
its birdness wanes

Atlanta Limerick

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There was an angry, old man from Atlanta
who each winter was tapped to play Santa.
In the suit he would bake,
scratching a beard that was fake,
as he fought Varsity dogs with piles of Mylanta.

DAILY PHOTO: Jain Caves of Udayagiri

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Taken in December of 2021 in Bhubaneswar

Diligent Dangler [Haiku]

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the spider waits
at the edge of its web -
conspicuous, but still

DAILY PHOTO: Jagannath Temple, Puri

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Taken in December of 2021 in Puri

BOOK REVIEW: The Joy of X by Steven H. Strogatz

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The Joy of X: A Guided Tour of Mathematics, from One to InfinityThe Joy of X: A Guided Tour of Mathematics, from One to Infinity by Steven H. Strogatz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazon.in Page

This is a mile-wide and inch-deep overview of mathematics. That is to say, it shines a light on a wide variety of subdisciplines, running from counting through subjects like topology, using rudimentary examples to give the reader insight into the kind of problems that can be solved. The book employs graphics, intuitive examples, and step-by-step explanation to clarify mathematics for individuals who didn’t get on so well with the subject the first time around.

The book’s thirty short chapters are divided into six sections: numbers (arithmetic,) relationships (roots, powers, etc.,) shapes (geometry,) change (calculus,) data (statistics,) and frontiers (group theory, topology, analysis, etc.) Like most popular mathematics books, formulas and equations are avoided to the extent possible. Even the notes that elaborate for curious readers use mathematical notation sparingly.

If you’re looking to give math a second try, this wouldn’t be a bad overview to get started. I don’t think it would be of much benefit to anyone who’s stayed in touch with mathematics, but it makes a fine light overview of the subject.


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