Robin Hood Math: Take Control of the Algorithms That Run Your Life

The ultimate math class cliché is the question “When will I ever use this?” In today’s increasingly tech-dependent world, it seems as though math is using us. Instead, Big Tech and its tools, such as proprietary algorithms, constantly leverage mathematics to profit off of consumers’ personal data. In writing this book, mathematics professor Giansiracusa (Bentley Univ.; How Algorithms Create and Prevent Fake News) seeks to put some of that mathematical knowledge back into the hands of everyday people. With great clarity, easy-to-understand examples, and plenty of humor, he explores everyday examples, such as the U.S. News and World Report college rankings, and demystifies the basics of logarithms. He also delves into various ways to calculate probability in situations more complex than coin flips or rolls of the dice. Each chapter’s central concept builds on the next, finally arriving at multibillion-dollar companies’ algorithmic and ad-fueled underpinnings. Giansiracusa’s math tutorials aim to show readers ways to apply the same tactics for ranking, assessing risk, and curating less stressful social feeds.