Asok Kumar Mallik & Amit Kumar Das

Paperback

224 Pages

Lavent Books

Numbers: Arithmetic and Computation is a fascinating exploration of the world of numbers that bridges classical mathematics with modern computational thinking. Designed for curious learners, students, educators, and anyone intrigued by the beauty of mathematics, this book offers an engaging journey through integers, real numbers, intriguing arithmetic patterns, and the powerful role of computers in solving mathematical problems.

Unlike traditional textbooks that focus only on theory, this book presents numbers as a living subject - full of patterns, puzzles, and historical insights. Readers are introduced to the foundations of integers and real numbers, along with captivating topics such as prime numbers, Pascal’s triangle, Pythagorean triples, Kaprekar numbers, and the famous Collatz conjecture. Through these explorations, the book reveals how simple numerical ideas can lead to surprisingly deep mathematical discoveries.

One of the most distinctive features of Numbers: Arithmetic and Computation is its thoughtful integration of mathematics with computer programming. After developing the reader’s understanding of numerical concepts, the book introduces the fundamentals of computers, binary representation, logic gates, and programming in the C language. This dual approach allows readers to see how classical arithmetic reasoning and modern computational tools complement each other in solving problems efficiently.

The book also includes a rich collection of thought-provoking problems that range from easy to challenging. These exercises are deliberately diverse rather than strictly graded, encouraging readers to think creatively and develop deeper problem-solving skills. Detailed arithmetic solutions are provided, and many problems are also explored through computer programs - demonstrating when analytical thinking or computational power is more effective.

Covering topics from number patterns and universal constants like π and e to programming techniques and computational verification of conjectures, the book offers a rare interdisciplinary perspective on mathematics and computing.

Written in a clear, accessible style, Numbers: Arithmetic and Computation is suitable for school and college students, mathematics enthusiasts, and self-learners who wish to understand numbers beyond formulas and calculations. By combining storytelling, puzzles, theory, and programming, the book transforms arithmetic into an exciting intellectual adventure.

Whether you enjoy solving mathematical puzzles, exploring number patterns, or learning how computers help tackle complex problems, this book offers an engaging and insightful guide to the fascinating universe of numbers.

About the Authors:

Asok Kumar Mallik, former professor of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur is an accomplished and respected teacher for his pedagogical acumen. He is well known for a number of highly cited research papers and text books on Mechanical Engineering. He has a passion towards solving arithmetic problems and puzzles. He gets pleasure and solace in delivering lectures and writing books and monographs on number system and arithmetic problems/puzzles for high school, pre-college students and non-expert adults - a task for which he is adored and highly praised by his students and peers.

Amit Kumar Das is a professor in Department of Computer Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, Howrah, India. He has got over three decades of teaching experience and a number of research papers and one US patent to his credit. Other than his professional activities, he is engaged in convincing non-experts and students with little to moderate mathematical background that exploring simple arithmetic problems using computer and programs is a fun.