The Cat in Numberland

by Ivar Ekeland

John O'Brien (Illustrator)

0 ratings • 0 reviews • 0 shelved
Book cover for The Cat in Numberland

Bookhype may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure.

At Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert’s Hotel Infinity, the resident cat is puzzled. The hotel is fully booked — the rooms are full of Numbers, both Odds and Evens — yet guests continue to arrive. When Zero shows up, there’s a massive room switching, and he stays, even though Mr. Hilbert insists he’s not really a Number. Then the Letters appear and everyone still has a room, even though no Numbers have left. No matter how many guests arrive or depart, the hotel accommodates them all, and is always full. But when the Fractions arrive, demanding rooms, real chaos threatens. Can an ingenious solution be found to house them all?

Based on mathematician David Hilbert’s famous paradox of the Grand Hotel, The Cat in Numberland offers a refreshingly clear explanation of infinity for readers of all ages. John O’Brien’s imaginative line drawings further elucidate the complex concept, as well as simple functions like addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication.
  • ISBN13 9780812627442
  • Publish Date 27 April 2006
  • Publish Status Active
  • Publish Country US
  • Imprint Cricket Books, a division of Carus Publishing Co
  • Format Hardcover
  • Pages 56
  • Language English