|
NOTHING pleases former Cabinet minister Yeo Ning Hong more than to hear his granddaughters Rebecca and Kathryn, aged eight and six, say that 'maths is fun'.
Having fun with maths, and word play too, is Dr Yeo himself, who has released his third book on his pet subject, titled Trig Or Treat. At the book's launch on Monday, the former communications and information, and defence minister, said: 'All my books on maths are for my grandchildren, so if I'm gone by the time they get to learn this, these books will simplify it for them'
Dr Yeo, who is a Singapore Press Holdings director, turned 64 on Saturday. He said his next book on maths will try to uncover why the subject brings joy to some and hardship to others.
He plays cards five days a week with the children because it is 'good fun' and 'sharpens their minds'. He believes he has infused these qualities into the 400-page Trig Or Treat by making games out of proving trigonometric theorems.
Dr Yeo published his first two books in November last year.
His tip to parents who want to make maths fun for children: Do not underestimate games.
'When they play, especially card games, it sharpens their minds, teaches them strategy, and unlike homework, is something they will always want to do.'
Trig Or Treat: An Encyclopaedia Of Trigonometric Identity Proofs (Tips) With Intellectually Challenging Games retails at $28, and will be in major bookstores this week.
| 
