Since its release in September, Kit’s first book has proved hugely popular, and this week earned itself a place on the Sunday Times' Science books of 2019.
In The Maths of Life and Death, Kit explores the role of maths in everyday life and highlights the devasting effects of its misapplication through true stories of patients affected by faulty genes to entrepreneurs bankrupted by faulty algorithms.
A highly interesting, yet accessible read, you don’t need to be a mathematician to enjoy this popular science book. You’ll even learn simple rules and tools to harness the power of maths to your advantage- from picking the shortest queue or getting the best seat on a train!
“‘Kit Yates shows how our private and social lives are suffused by mathematics. Ignorance may bring tragedy or farce. This is an exquisitely interesting book. It's a deeply serious one too and, for those like me who have little maths, it's delightfully readable” Ian McEwan
A senior lecturer in mathematical biology, Kit takes real-world phenomena and uncovers the mathematical truths that lie behind them. In response to his achievement, Kit said: “I’m stoked that The Maths of Life and Death has been chosen as one of the Sunday Times Science books of 2019. It feels like all the effort that was poured into the book has been worthwhile. I'm grateful for the support provided by the Institute for Mathematical Innovation here at the University of Bath, whose internal secondment scheme helped me to completed the book in the way I wanted."
A former winner of the University of Bath Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Public Engagement with Research, and recipient of the Faculty of Science Teaching Award, Dr Yates has written about the enjoyment and ubiquity of mathematics for The Guardian, The Times, the i, and others.
He has appeared on the BBC’s 'Bang Goes The Theory' and 'Watchdog' and regularly sets the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme’s 'Puzzle for Today'.
If you would like to read The Maths of Life and Death it is available on Amazon.