Unequal: The Math of When Things Do and Don't Add Up

Unequal: The Math of When Things Do and Don't Add Up - Hardcover

$32.00
Sale price  $32.00 Regular price 
Skip to product information
Unequal: The Math of When Things Do and Don't Add Up

Unequal: The Math of When Things Do and Don't Add Up - Hardcover

$32.00
Sale price  $32.00 Regular price 
Shipping calculated at checkout.

by Eugenia Cheng (Author)

An exciting "new perspective on equality and difference" (Stephon Alexander) that shows why the familiar equal sign isn't just a marker of sameness but a gateway into math's--and humanity's--most profound questions

"Eugenia Cheng has opened up my mind to the wondrous world of pure mathematics in a way that I never thought was possible."―Willow Smith, singer and actress

Math is famous for its equations: 1 + 1 = 2, a 2 + b 2 = c 2, or y = mx + b. Much of the time it can seem like that's all mathematics is: following steps to show that what's on one side of an equation is the same as what's on the other.

In Unequal, Eugenia Cheng shows that's just part of the story, and the boring part to boot. Mathematics isn't only about showing how numbers and symbols are the same. It isn't even just about numbers and symbols at all, but a world of shapes, symmetries, logical ideas, and more. And in that world, the boundary between things being equal and unequal is a gray area, or perhaps a rainbow of beautiful, vibrant, subtly nuanced color.

As Unequal shows, once you go over that rainbow, almost everything can be considered equal and unequal at the same time, whether it's shapes (seen from the right perspective, a circle is the same as an ellipse), words (synonyms), or people--even numbers! It all depends on what features we care about. And it's up to us what we do about it. That's because mathematics isn't a series of rules, facts, or answers. It's an invitation to a more powerful way of thinking.

Author Biography

Eugenia Cheng is scientist in residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and honorary visiting fellow at City, University of London. She has authored numerous titles, including winner of the LA Times Book Prize Is Math Real?, How to Bake Pi, Beyond Infinity, The Art of Logic, and x + y. Cheng lives in Chicago, Illinois. 

Number of Pages: 400
Dimensions: 1.5 x 9.29 x 6.22 IN
Publication Date: September 02, 2025

Made with care

Great value

Elegant design

Quality materials

Details

Each book is chosen to inspire, entertain, and expand your perspective. Whether you're relaxing or learning something new, it’s made to fit seamlessly into your everyday life.

Shipping & Returns

We strive to process and ship all orders in a timely manner, working diligently to ensure that your items are on their way to you as soon as possible.

We are committed to ensuring a positive shopping experience for all our customers. If for any reason you wish to return an item, we invite you to reach out to our team for assistance, and we will evaluate every return request with care and consideration.

Shop The Full Collection

$100M Leads: How to Get Strangers To Want To Buy Your Stuff - Hardcover

$100M Leads: How to Get Strangers To Want To Buy Your Stuff - Hardcover

$100M Leads: How to Get Strangers To Want To Buy Your Stuff - Paperback

$100M Leads: How to Get Strangers To Want To Buy Your Stuff - Paperback

$100M Money Models: How To Make Money - Hardcover

$100M Money Models: How To Make Money - Hardcover

$100M Money Models: How To Make Money - Hardcover

$43.72
Sale price  $43.72 Regular price 
$100M Money Models: How To Make Money - Paperback

$100M Money Models: How To Make Money - Paperback

$100M Money Models: How To Make Money - Paperback

$36.43
Sale price  $36.43 Regular price