The Calculus of Happiness

How a Mathematical Approach to Life Adds up to Health, Wealth, and Love

Sample Chapter

Interactive Applets

Errata

“Surveys a wide variety of ways that mathematics can be used to improve decision making and general well-being. . . . [Fernandez] believes that even a smidgeon of algebra can encapsulate a lot of wisdom.”–TIME.com

“Brilliant. . . . Where Fernandez’s book scores highly is that it goes beyond being a typical self-help manual for the numerate, by presenting example after example of how mathematical topics such as probability, game theory and exponential functions really do make sense of a world that can sometimes seem so subjective. It’s also an easy-going analysis of those areas in life that get brushed under the carpet, to be attended to another day. Once you realise it all boils down to maths, you will wake up happier, wealthier and healthier tomorrow morning, and we have Oscar E. Fernandez to thank for that.”–Nick Smith, Engineering & Technology (full review here)

“With an informal, engaging tone and sound applications, The Calculus of Happiness facilitates financial literacy. This is the first time I’ve encountered a book aimed at general readers that addresses the topic of financial mathematics. It is a valuable work that will serve as a lifelong resource.”–John A. Adam, author of A Mathematical Nature Walk

What's Inside

Over 30 applications of math (specifically, precalculus) to health, personal finance, and love that help you optimize these aspects of life
Chapter summaries and bonus tips that highlight the most important takeaways
Chapter appendixes that guide you through the derivations of the formulas presented
Interactive applets and calculators tied to the most important formulas presented—see the Interactive Applets page
Great for students and teachers too: chapters track precalculus textbook contents
Available in eBook and Hardback
Translations: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese

Book Description

What’s the best diet for overall health and weight management? How can we change our finances to retire earlier? How can we maximize our chances of finding our soul mate?

In The Calculus of Happiness, Oscar Fernandez shows us that math yields powerful insights into health, wealth, and love. Using only high-school-level math (precalculus with a dash of calculus), Fernandez guides us through several of the surprising results, including an easy rule of thumb for choosing foods that lower our risk for developing diabetes (and that help us lose weight too), simple “all-weather” investment portfolios with great returns, and math-backed strategies for achieving financial independence and searching for our soul mate. Moreover, the important formulas are linked to a dozen free online interactive calculators on Fernandez’s website, allowing one to personalize the equations.

Fernandez uses everyday experiences–such as visiting a coffee shop–to provide context for his mathematical insights, making the math discussed more accessible, real-world, and relevant to our daily lives. Every chapter ends with a summary of essential lessons and takeaways, and for advanced math fans, Fernandez includes the mathematical derivations in the appendices.

A nutrition, personal finance, and relationship how-to guide all in one, The Calculus of Happiness invites you to discover how empowering mathematics can be.

Reviews

“Surveys a wide variety of ways that mathematics can be used to improve decision making and general well-being. . . . [Fernandez] believes that even a smidgeon of algebra can encapsulate a lot of wisdom.”–TIME.com

“Brilliant. . . . Where Fernandez’s book scores highly is that it goes beyond being a typical self-help manual for the numerate, by presenting example after example of how mathematical topics such as probability, game theory and exponential functions really do make sense of a world that can sometimes seem so subjective. It’s also an easy-going analysis of those areas in life that get brushed under the carpet, to be attended to another day. Once you realise it all boils down to maths, you will wake up happier, wealthier and healthier tomorrow morning, and we have Oscar E. Fernandez to thank for that.”–Nick Smith, Engineering & Technology (full review here)

“With an informal, engaging tone and sound applications, The Calculus of Happiness facilitates financial literacy. This is the first time I’ve encountered a book aimed at general readers that addresses the topic of financial mathematics. It is a valuable work that will serve as a lifelong resource.”–John A. Adam, author of A Mathematical Nature Walk

“I absolutely love this book. The mathematics described is beautiful and accessible and, most important of all, truly meaningful and relevant.”–James Tanton, author of Without Words: Mathematical Puzzles to Confound and Delight

“With its appealing informal style, choice of topics inspired by everyday life, and links to the relevant mathematical concepts and methods, this book shows how mathematics can improve one’s quality of life. From healthy eating to managing the monthly budget, readers will look at their daily activities from an angle they may have never thought of.”–Max Alekseyev, The George Washington University

“[E]ngaging. . . . Readers are sure to get a sense of how content from algebra and precalculus can help inform us about important decisions that are almost universally relevant.”–Jason M. Graham, MAA Reviews (full review here)