Due to a passing in the family a few years ago and my subsequent health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for years after the bereavement. Thank you for the opportunity.

I really enjoyed the conversational tone of this book, and how the author doesn't ever seem like they're talking down to the reader.

`Mathematics is an art, a science and a language - properties shared, only, perhaps with music´. If you are looking those days of a moderate brains workout, this book will help you to keep your mind awake, without entering into high-end mathematical issues.
Most of the topics addressed deal with everyday challenges, an aspect that is not always outlined during the school mathematics classes. There are so many everyday life aspects that are connected with mathematical patterns but the ways in which sometimes this discipline is taught doesn´t build the right bridges. The author apparently is successful in using a lot of tricks to explore new concepts with his school classes hence his nickname ´Mathemagician´.
For an audience that left the school long ago, like me (which I loved mathematics), the book has so many good exercises and explanation of patterns. I still need a lot of practice to acquire the fluency I used to have, but books like this one is very helpful. Otherwise, it is never too late to start loving numbers. After all, you need to follow some mathematical directions and use the right estimated quantities when you are preparing that cocktail, isn´t it?

I enjoyed this book I have been having wanting to master the art of numbers for some time. I still found it a little complicated, but I don't think that's the book's fault! I will persevere and who knows I may even be able to use a calculator next.

For those of us who struggle with math this is the book for you. Very helpful and understanding is key factors in this book.

Mastering Math is a exciting book that may help you with your math. This is an informative book and well written.

The book contained basic information about mastering numbers. Unfortunately, it wasn't very useful for me because I was already aware of most of the information presented, maybe because I had math as a subject up and until one and a half years ago. It may be useful to you if you have never liked or understood math.

I received a free copy from Netgalley. It doesn't impact my review in any way.

I don't struggle with numbers, so won't be the target audience for this book, nonetheless I found it readable and enjoyable, with some good ideas clearly explained.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this.

Guest post by Tor Swerdlow, maths specialist who teaches children with Special Educational Needs

I am not the target audience for this book. Andrew Jeffery, aka The Mathemagician, spends his time, as I do, in the pursuit of making Maths accessible to learners in schools so as to engender a love of Mathematics in future generations. He, like more and more Maths teachers these days, works to disseminate his enthusiasm, making Maths fun for children and thereby answering the age old question echoing through school corridors, ‘What’s the point?’.

In this book Andrew Jeffery seeks to demystify mathematics, expose some short cuts to simplify what on the surface may seem like complicated calculations and provide answers as to why we have to learn this stuff in the first place. It is a whistle stop tour of many different aspects of Mathematics. It is written for an adult audience, perhaps already partially converted, as I feel those with a fear of Maths wouldn’t be inclined to pick it up, but should.

He includes ideas for quick mental calculations and how to make it easy for yourself. In today’s society few of us are without a phone and therefore without a calculator, so what’s the point of mental arithmetic you may ask? Jeffery explains it’s twofold. The first is that, if you practice regularly, these mental methods are quicker than finding the calculator app and inputting the figures but also how can you tell if the calculator is actually giving the correct answer? Our reliance on technology is great but we need to have a sense of authority over it and we need to know if the answer is reasonable. Additionally, though he doesn’t mention it specifically, there is an element of satisfaction gained from discovering you can do it yourself and it wasn’t nearly as hard as you thought.

Also included is Mathematics. Calculations come under the umbrella of Arithmetic, a small subsection of Mathematics which is mainly what people think of when they think Maths. Many people think if you can’t do arithmetic accurately then you are no good at Maths. Maths is so much more than that. Jeffery introduces us to a variety of different areas of Mathematics thereby bringing in the uses and purposes of Maths in the wider world.

For instance, we teach prime numbers at primary school. A seemingly random series of numbers that don’t divide by anything else. At this stage it is apparently useless other than to identify the numbers that can’t form anything other than one kind of rectangle with multilink cubes. But what adult doesn’t have a debit or credit card and from secondary school who doesn’t use the internet for purchases and communication. The little padlock symbol which assures us everything is safe is there because of prime numbers. Encryption is based on multiplying large prime numbers, making the resulting number nearly impossible to factorise and thereby creating a code that’s nearly impossible to crack.

Jeffery also includes the mind-blowing connection between numbers and nature. The golden ratio and the Fibonacci series feature in our understanding of beauty, the creation of ancient architecture, efficient distribution of seeds in plants, oh yes and credit cards again.

I enjoyed reading this book, but as I say I’m not the target audience. It is short which is an advantage to those who really only want to dip their toe in the water and get an idea. There is a list of further reading to follow up. There is so much to Mathematics it wouldn’t be possible to include it all in one book and as a simple introduction to pique the interest I hope this will encourage readers to delve more deeply into specific areas of interest. When learning about History, everyone has areas that fascinate them more than others and Mathematics is the same. Maybe you will find yours.

I used this book to help me find a better way to help my son learn his maths. It is a great guide for those who struggle with mathematics.

Mastering Numbers
By Andrew Jeffrey
For me, this book was hit or miss on what I understood completely and what was over my head. The book did not translate well in my digital copy from the publisher. Many of the examples were difficult to follow as they were a bit scrambled. Overall though I enjoyed the challenge of looking at math as a subject of interest rather than an overwhelming task. I think that if you are looking for a positive perspective on math or are teaching math to a reluctant learner this book might hold some solid tricks to making math more comprehensive.

Even though this book is aimed at people who don't understand mathematics, I really enjoyed learning about mathematics in this format. I love mathematics and this book explained to me why, I have never been able to put it in to words before.

Very clear explanations and lots of useful ways to look at numbers and math. It does what it sets out to do, and I like math so I like the book. But will it attract people who are not already into math?

I requested an eARC of this book off Netgalley because I really wanted to get a kick out of numbers and learn a trick or two that'd give me the feeling of "math is not that scary, and numbers are as cool as Charlie Ebb would say on that show Numb3rs." Well, the short version is that it worked! I loved this book because it did disapprove some myths I had about numbers; one that they couldn't be fun and two, that I couldn't do much with them.
I wish I read this book or had such a book while I was somewhere in between my first and second year of high school!