An engaging and imaginative tour through the fundamental mathematical concepts – from arithmetic to infinity – that form the building blocks of our universe.

'Who knew numbers could be so charming? ... Suri takes us on a light-hearted journey all the way from nothing (zero) to infinity' Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

Our universe has multiple origin stories, from religious creation myths to the Big Bang of scientists. But if we leave those behind and start from nothing – no matter, no cosmos, not even empty space – could we create a universe using only maths?

In this new mathematical origin story, mathematician and award-winning novelist Manil Suri creates a natural progression of ideas needed to design our world, starting with numbers and continuing through geometry, algebra, and beyond. With evocative and engaging examples ranging from multidimensional crochet to the Mona Lisa’s asymmetrical smile, as well as ingenious storytelling that helps illuminate complex concepts like infinity and relativity, The Big Bang of Numbers charts a playful, inventive course to existence.

Distilled from almost four decades of teaching experience, and offering both striking new perspectives for maths aficionados and an accessible introduction for enthusiastic novices, The Big Bang of Numbers proves that we can all fall in love with maths.

"The fundamental[s] of maths presented like a delightful fairy-tale. Hugely enjoyed it" - Dara O'Brien

"A beautifully written meditation on mathematics: whimsical, thought-provoking and deep" - Alex Bellos, author of Alex's Adventures in Numberland

"Who knew numbers could be so charming? So industrious? Suri takes us on a light-hearted journey all the way from nothing (zero) to infinity. Math has rarely been so readable." - Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

"In The Big Bang of Numbers, Manil Suri invites the reader to create a universe made of mathematical ideas, sparking a thrill that may catch you off guard—an exhilarating sensation of playfulness, power, and insight." - Steven Strogatz, New York Times bestselling author of Infinite Powers and The Joy of X

"Numerophobic? This infinitely fascinating book will cure you ... Manil Suri’s march through maths is brimming with entertaining and yet discombobulating thoughts ... Suri has a knack for clarity and a welcome habit of grounding tricky concepts in the tangible" - The Times

"A most unusual, creative, and fascinating account of mathematics that relies not on equations or formulas, but on metaphors, paradoxes, and lovely vignettes." - John Allen Paulos, author of Innumeracy and A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper

"A delightful ride of a book. Before I knew it, I was rooting for primes, doubting the wisdom of dividing by zero, and holding my breath as the universe starts to emerge from triangles and cones and planes. The book was so enjoyable and understandable, it almost made me want to take another stab at calculus. Almost. Proof that when a smart person who writes well and honestly explores their passion, that passion is contagious." - Ken Krimstein, author of When I Grow Up

"An excellent new book that could make anyone fall in love with math" - Washingtonian