Jeremy Wyndham Books

In this sequel to Why Do Buses Come in Threes?, you will find that many intriguing everyday questions have mathematical answers. Discover the astonishing 37% rule for blind dates, the avoidance tactics of the gentleman's urinal, and some extraordinary scams that have been devised to get rich quick. Also included are the origins of the seven-day week and the seven-note scale, an explanation of why underdogs win, clever techniques for detecting fraud, and the reason why epidemics sweep across a nation and disappear just as quickly. Whatever your mathematical ability, this fun, thought-provoking book will illuminate the ways in which math underlies so much in our everyday lives.

With a foreword by Tim Rice, this book will change the way you see the world. Why is it better to buy a lottery ticket on a Friday? Why are showers always too hot or too cold? And what's the connection between a rugby player taking a conversion and a tourist trying to get the best photograph of Nelson's Column? These and many other fascinating questions are answered in this entertaining and highly informative book, which is ideal for anyone wanting to remind themselves – or discover for the first time – that maths is relevant to almost everything we do. Dating, cooking, travelling by car, gambling and even life-saving techniques have links with intriguing mathematical problems, as you will find explained here. Whether you have a PhD in astrophysics or haven't touched a maths problem since your school days, this book will give you a fresh understanding of the world around you.

Why is it better to buy a lottery ticket on a Friday? Is bad luck merely chance, or is there a deeper explanation? Can math enhance your dating prospects or even help you fall in love? If you've ever felt that math is working against you, you're not alone. Math and probability influence our daily lives, from dating to public transport. This engaging exploration reveals how everyday phenomena—like buses arriving in groups, identical potato chips, and slicing cake for odd-numbered guests—are tied to fascinating mathematical concepts. With humor and enthusiasm, the authors tackle intriguing questions, such as the optimal speed to run in the rain and the greatest sportsman statistically. They delve into the mathematical reasons behind peculiar coincidences, like two Presidents dying on July 4, the supposed accuracy of horoscopes, and the patterns in nature. Readers will learn about TV ratings, lottery odds, and why misfortunes seem to come in threes. The authors also dedicate a chapter to entertaining mathematical tricks for children. This journey through life's logic reveals the hidden mathematical codes behind common frustrations and curiosities. Discover how math explains everything from bar fights to the temperature of your shower, and why long supermarket lines are not just a result of bad luck. Math is more than numbers; it’s a lens through which to understand the world.