A lively, accessible history of mathematics throughout the ages and around the world.

Mathematics is fundamental to our daily lives. Science, computing, economics—all aspects of modern life rely on some form of mathematics. But how did our ancestors think about numbers? How did they use mathematics to explain and understand the world around them? Where do numbers come from?

In this brief history, Snezana Lawrence explores the fascinating story of mathematics, from the Egyptians and Babylonians to Renaissance teachers and codebreakers. Like literature, music, or philosophy, mathematics has a rich history of innovation, creativity, and experimentation. And its history is global. We explore Chinese mathematical art from 200 BC, the invention of algebra at the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, and geometric theorems in Japanese temples.

Lawrence goes beyond well-known names like Newton and Paskal, examining the significant role women have played in the history of mathematics, including Emmy Noether and Maryam Mirzakhani.