The Experimenter’s A-Z of Mathematics: Maths Activities with Computer Support

A Fresh Way to Bring Mathematics Alive

Mathematics often feels like a collection of rules to be memorised, but Steve Humble’s The Experimenter’s A-Z of Mathematics takes a different route. This is a book built on stories, experiments, and the kind of playful investigation that makes abstract ideas tangible. Each chapter is a self-contained adventure, so you can dip in wherever curiosity leads.

From Historical Anecdotes to Hands-On Discovery

Every letter of the alphabet introduces a mathematical idea through a narrative hook — a tale about Ramanujan, a puzzle that stumped Newton, or the surprising mathematics of a wobbling Frisbee. The story sets the scene, then leads naturally into an experiment that students can tackle with pencil, paper, spreadsheet, or programmable calculator.

Computer Support for Deeper Exploration

Several chapters include computer support sections designed to handle the numerical heavy lifting while learners focus on patterns and meaning. Using widely available tools such as Microsoft Excel and QBASIC, the activities guide students through visual and numerical outputs that would be time-consuming to produce by hand. The original print edition included a CD-ROM with ready-made files, and the instructions in the book remain clear enough for teachers or motivated students to recreate the tools independently.

Topics That Spark Curiosity Across the Curriculum

The A-to-Z format covers an impressive range, including algebra, probability, cryptology, fractals, prime numbers, and even time travel and the mathematics of toys. Here is a short sample:

• Algebra and Descartes
• Buffon, Probability and Pi
• Dragon Curve
• Feigenbaum Number
• Hanoi Towers
• Kissing Circles
• Life and John Conway
• Million Dollar Prizes and Prime Numbers
• Ramanujan
• Squares that are Magic
• Universes, Time Travel and Einstein
• Zoo Time with Tigers and Sea Shells

Many chapters also include extension ideas, links to websites (current at the time of publication), and suggestions for further reading, making it easy to stretch eager learners or provide follow-up at home.

Who Will Find This Book Useful?

The Experimenter’s A-Z of Mathematics is written primarily for mathematics teachers working with students up to sixth form, but its flexible design also suits home educators, maths club leaders, parents looking for enrichment, and anyone who enjoys exploring mathematical ideas outside a rigid textbook sequence. The experiments have been used successfully with a wide range of abilities, from learners who need confidence boosts to gifted students seeking genuine challenge.

Why Experimentation Matters

At its heart, this book champions an experimental approach. Instead of waiting to be told the right method, students are invited to play with numbers, spot patterns, make predictions, and sometimes stumble upon elegant solutions — just as professional mathematicians do. That sense of ownership and discovery can transform a reluctant learner into an enthusiastic investigator.

If you’re looking for a resource that treats mathematics as a living, story-filled subject, The Experimenter’s A-Z of Mathematics offers a practical and inspiring place to begin.