What are the best books on math? Math is not complicated, but if you already had trouble with maths in primary school, it can still be a stumbling block. With the right self-study or help, you can make progress in math. Read on for the best recommended books.

The best math books ever made

Let’s take a look at the top 10 best math books. We start our recommendations with the top 10 best books about Mathematics of all time. This list has been updated this year, including all the recent titles.

Best Books On MathematicsAuthor
The Princeton Companion to MathematicsTimothy Gowers
Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden BraidDouglas Hofstadter
Fermat’s Last TheoremSimon Singh
A book of abstract algebraCharles C. Pinter
Calculus: Early TranscendentalsDaniel K. Clegg, James Stewart, and Saleem Watson
Mathematical MindsetsJo Boaler
Categories for the Working MathematicianSaunders Mac Lane
Algebra Part 2S. B. Kizlik
College Algebra Robert F. BlitzerRobert F. Blitzer
The Number DevilHans Magnus Enzensberger

The updated top 10 list: the best books about math

Calculus: An Intuitive and Physical Approach (Second Edition) (Dover Books on Mathematics)

You would think there would be a more recent book on calculus, but this one from 1967 is still one of the best guides you can get on the subject. The examples given and easy-to-follow explanations is what makes this book such a great success.

All about Functions: Mathematics Primer with 7000 Solved Problems on Functions, Inverses, Polynomials, and Zeroes of Functions (Mathematics is Awesome Book 7)

If you struggle with functions, then we highly recommend ‘All About Functions’ from writer Norman Sanko. He manages to explain the basics and why it is important for future mathematics.

Uncovering Student Thinking About Mathematics in the Common Core, Grades 6-8: 25 Formative Assessment Probes

Mathematics teachers can help themselves and their class by reading this book. It will help them discover where students make mistakes and define the most difficult areas. This book is suitable for teachers who teach grade 6 to 8.

Thinking about Mathematics: The Philosophy of Mathematics

Stewart Shapiro divides mathematics into four specific parts, and he tries to link mathematics to philosophical issues. Decide for yourself if logic is mathematics’ most important essence.

Uncovering Student Thinking About Mathematics in the Common Core, Grades K–2: 20 Formative Assessment Probes

From the same writers as title number three on this top ten list, here is a book with the same principles, but now aimed at grades K-2 instead of 6 to 8. The book still aims to check a child’s knowledge and find out where problems occur.

About Teaching Mathematics: A K-8 Resource (4th Edition)

This book could mean a world of difference for math teachers, but especially for those who teach K-8 graders. This book has a clear structure: an introduction, how to solve problems, how to teach arithmetic, and frequently asked questions by other teachers that the writer responds to.

Mine the Gap for Mathematical Understanding, Grades K-2: Common Holes and Misconceptions and What To Do About Them (Corwin Mathematics Series)

In our opinion this book is unique, because it gives teachers examples of mathematic tasks that have been completed incorrectly. This will make it easier to identify problems with your own students and deciding how to help them correct their mistakes.

Beautiful Symmetry: A Coloring Book about Math (The MIT Press)

A large part of mathematics is about symmetry, and this coloring book is a fun way to dive into the world of symmetric shapes. What we love about this coloring book is that it comes with a digital edition with proof of how these symmetric puzzles were created.

The Math Book: From Pythagoras to the 57th Dimension, 250 Milestones in the History of Mathematics (Sterling Milestones)

Do you know what an ‘ant odometer’ is? Or are you still struggling with dimensional thinking? This book is like a math encyclopedia on every element of math with examples explained in illustrations and in real-life situations.

GED Math Book 2020 and 2021: GED Mathematics Preparation 2020-2021 with 2 Complete Practice Tests [3rd Edition]

Is it almost time for your GED exam? Then we recommend making this book part of your preparation for the test. You will be able to score better and practice real questions from the test.

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