# Math for English Majors: A Human Take on the Universal Language - Hardcover

by **Ben Orlin** (Author)

**In this trailblazing work from the internet's most empathetic math teacher, Ben Orlin unravels the secrets behind the world's most confounding language.**  
Math, it is said, is the "universal language." But if a language brings people together, why does math make so many of us feel so alone? In _Math for English Majors,_ bestselling author Ben Orlin (_Math with Bad Drawings_) offers fresh insights for the mathematically perplexed and mathematical masters alike.

As Orlin reveals, the "universal language" is precisely that: a language. It has nouns (numbers), verbs (calculations), and grammar (algebra). It has funny idioms ("exponential"), quirky etymologies ("squaring"), and peculiar ambiguities ("PEMDAS"). It even has its own form of literature, with equations ranging from the simple wisdom of A2 + B2 = C2 to the startling profundity of eπi + 1 = 0.

Along the way, he shares relatable stories of his own mathematical misunderstandings and epiphanies, as well as the trials and triumphs of his students. And, as always, he sheds further light and levity on the subject with his inept--yet strangely effective--drawings.

### Author Biography

**Ben Orlin** is the author of _Math with Bad Drawings_ (as well as the blog of the same name), _Change is the Only Constant_. _Math Games With Bad Drawings,_ and _Math Games With Bad Drawings: The Ultimate Game Collection_. His writing on math and education has appeared in _The Atlantic_, the _Chicago Tribune_, the _Los Angeles Times_, _Slate_, _Vox_, and _Popular Science_. He has taught middle and high school mathematics and has spoken about math and education at colleges and universities across the United States. He lives with his wife and two daughters in St. Paul, Minnesota.

**Number of Pages:** 304

**Dimensions:** 1.2 x 8 x 6.3 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** September 03, 2024

## Details

- **Price:** 30.0 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 30.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Math for English Majors: A Human Take on the Universal Language - Hardcover

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> Updated: 2026-07-21