A Most Elegant Equation: Euler's Formula and the Beauty of Mathematics by David Stipp

Happy Pi Day!! In honor of Pi Day, I am reviewing A Most Elegant Equation: Euler's Formula and the Beauty of Mathematics by David Stipp.

With full disclosure, I did listen to the unabridged audio version of A Most Elegant Equation: Euler's Formula and the Beauty of Mathematics by David Stipp and narrated by Sean Pratt last year in 2022. However, I never wrote a review of it or most of the books I read last year... In fact, I'm not even sure I wrote any book reviews in 2022.

I am NOT a mathematics savant! I am pretty much math phobic when it comes to anything beyond basic math, which is why I majored in a foreign language during college. I was only required to take one college level mathematics class, statistics, and I struggled to pass my statistics class. 

So, you may be wondering why I chose to read A Most Elegant Equation: Euler's Formula and the Beauty of Mathematics by David Stipp if I have an aversion to the topic of mathematics? The simple answer is I am trying to broaden my current knowledge by learning more about things I do not know much about. In other words, broaden my horizons.

What did I think of A Most Elegant Equation: Euler's Formula and the Beauty of Mathematics by David Stipp? I found it is both packed with a lot of mathematical history and mathematical concepts. I think the writing was really well done by the author... However, I was frequently overwhelmed by much of the advanced mathematical concepts and formulas presented in this work of nonfiction that my eyes began to glaze over in certain sections. I think if I was better versed in mathematics, then this book would have been more of a breeze to understand. Not that I struggled to understand the entire book or anything like that... Just certain topics discussed were difficult to follow due to my lack of advanced mathematics. 

Also, I'd recommend reading the written version of A Most Elegant Equation: Euler's Formula and the Beauty of Mathematics instead of the audio version as I think it would be easier to follow if one sees the written formulas rather than hearing these formulas stated verbally.

I recommend A Most Elegant Equation: Euler's Formula and the Beauty of Mathematics by David Stipp for those that love the subject of mathematics OR those that work as statisticians, mathematicians, or actuaries.

I think learning about the life of Leonhard Euler and his genius were my favorite parts of reading A Most Elegant Equation: Euler's Formula and the Beauty of Mathematics.

Below the summary for A Most Elegant Equation: Euler's Formula and the Beauty of Mathematics by David Stipp I discovered on Chirp's website:

Bertrand Russell wrote that mathematics can exalt “as surely as poetry.” This is especially true of one equation: ei(pi) + 1 = 0, the brainchild of Leonhard Euler, the Mozart of mathematics. More than two centuries after Euler’s death, it is still regarded as a conceptual diamond of unsurpassed beauty. Called Euler’s identity or God’s equation, it includes just five numbers but represents an astonishing revelation of hidden connections. It ties together everything from basic arithmetic to compound interest, the circumference of a circle, trigonometry, calculus, and even infinity. In David Stipp’s hands, Euler’s identity becomes a contemplative stroll through the glories of mathematics. The result is an ode to this magical field.

I am giving A Most Elegant Equation: Euler's Formula and the Beauty of Mathematics by David Stipp a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!