Math 101
A sweeping history of how humanity invented numbers, algebra, geometry, and calculus—from ancient counting systems to Newton's revolutionary mathematics of motion.
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Chapters
13 total- 01Prologue
- 02Chapter One - Before the Numbers
- 03Chapter Two - Counting What Matters
- 04Chapter Three - The Geometry of Power
- 05Chapter Four - The Math of the East
- 06Chapter Five - Algebra and the Abstract
- 07Chapter Six - The Invention of Numbers
- 08Chapter Seven - Math Awakens in the West
- 09Chapter Eight - The Calculus Revolution
- 10Chapter Nine - Chaos, Chance, and Risk
- 11Chapter Ten - The Infinite and the Impossible
- 12Chapter Eleven - Math Starts Thinking for Us
- 13Chapter Twelve - The Future of Math
Edition notes and short pages
Math 101
Math 101
A History of Numbers
by James Johnson
Dedication
For every kid who thought they just "weren’t a math person."
You were always smarter than the system made you feel.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
THANKS TO EVERY thinker, builder, farmer, priest, gambler, artist, astronomer, and algorithm that helped shape the long, strange journey of math.
And thanks to the readers, the curious minds who keep showing up to ask, “Yeah, but where did this all come from?”
You make this worth it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JJ IS THE author of over 250 books on history, science, culture, religion, psychology, and the strange machinery that powers civilization.
He writes fast, goes deep, and doesn’t waste your time.
You can read more of his work at jjarchives.com
COPYRIGHT
© 2025 JAMES JOHNSON. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise — without prior written permission from the author, except for brief quotes used in reviews or educational settings.
This book is for informational and entertainment purposes. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, but the author assumes no liability for errors, omissions, or how you decide to use any of the content.
The past was real. The math is real. The jokes are optional.