An entertaining and informative anthology of popular math writing from the Renaissance to cyberspaceDespite what we may sometimes imagine, popular mathematics writing didn't begin with Martin Gardner. In fact, it has a rich tradition stretching back hundreds of years. This entertaining and enlightening antholog-the first of its kind-gathers nearly one hundred fascinating selections from the past 500 years of popular math writing, bringing to life a little-known side of math history. Ranging from the late fifteenth to the late twentieth century, and drawing from books, newspapers, magazines, and websites, A Wealth of Numbers includes recreational, classroom, and work mathematics; mathematical histories and biographies; accounts of higher mathematics; explanations of mathematical instruments; discussions of how math should be taught and learned; reflections on the place of math in the world; and math in fiction and humor.Featuring many tricks, games, problems, and puzzles, as well as much history and trivia, the selections include a sixteenth-century guide to making a horizontal sundial; "e;Newton for the Ladies"e; (1739); Leonhard Euler on the idea of velocity (1760); "e;Mathematical Toys"e; (1785); a poetic version of the rule of three (1792); "e;Lotteries and Mountebanks"e; (1801); Lewis Carroll on the game of logic (1887); "e;Maps and Mazes"e; (1892); "e;Einstein's Real Achievement"e; (1921); "e;Riddles in Mathematics"e; (1945); "e;New Math for Parents"e; (1966); and "e;PC Astronomy"e; (1997). Organized by thematic chapters, each selection is placed in context by a brief introduction.A unique window into the hidden history of popular mathematics, A Wealth of Numbers will provide many hours of fun and learning to anyone who loves popular mathematics and science.