Publisher's Synopsis
Are you facing classes in math and science this semester? Will you have to interpret data from graphs and charts in your job? Would you like to be a better gambler? Or sharpen your money skills? No longer will you need to tell yourself that you are "not good with figures" once you've Read Winston J. Duncan's book A Mind for Numbers; How to Exercise Your Brain To Think Like a Scientist. Many of us struggled our way through math and science classes in school and were relieved once the semester was over. Duncan recognizes this and begins his book with what scientific thinking actually is: thinking strategically, or methodically. A Mind for Numbers states a true but little known fact: that scientific thinkers' minds actually grow stronger over their lifespans, as the mind of a non-scientific thinker grows weaker during the same time span. This is because scientists and their peers are constantly focused on solving problems and developing and honing theories to explain phenomema: they are constantly exercising their brains! Duncan's exercise's will improve our brains' speed, accuracy, focus and clarity, regardless of our ages or previous mental activity level. If you feel like you're suffering from a foggy mindset lately, this could be the cure! A Mind for Numbers asks us to recall the processes we were to apply in school to mathematical and scientific questions. It's this process-oriented thinking that enables scientists and mathematicians to organize their thoughts. Duncan then outlines a detailed but easily adaptable plan for process-based thinking that readers can apply to any problem in their own lives, highlighting the purpose of each step for clarification. The next phase of A Mind for Numbers deals with observational thinking, or retaining lots of different pieces of data about something we've experienced. Observational thinking is important not only for scientists and mathematicians, but also law enforcement officials and those in medicine. Duncan takes readers past the basic senses and shows us the depth of a scientists observational prowess, displaying the level of detail we should work towards operating. The reader sees how all of these sometimes minute pieces of data give him an edge in solving his problem or making a prediction. Then we arrive at the educational guess, or hypothesis used in scientific thinking. Duncan shows readers how to easily formulate a hypothesis and test it to see how close our assertion is. Duncan prepares us for repetition of this process, just as scientists themselves repeat it, sometimes often, in order to get to a solution. This version of A Mind for Numbers includes a bonus chapter on making solid predictions about just about anything. DUncan shows us how to incorporate all of the steps of the scientific method of thinking into the prediction-making process. Here, the observation of experience is especially important, and Duncan explains why. DUncan also includes brainstorming methods that can bring with them breakthrough ideas - perfect for someone looking to make their mark in science, engineering, writing and business! ***Limited Edition***
