Ask HN: Recommend a maths book for a teenager?

Maybe this one "[The Pea And The Sun](https://www.amazon.com/Pea-Sun-Mathematical-Paradox/dp/15688.... It reads in a nice flow and shows theoretical math in an understandable way even though it covers a very complex theorem.

A bit on the lighter side, I do recommend The Man Who Counted which I read as a kid and absolutely loved

https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Counted-Collection-Mathematic...

I read the original in Portuguese but would assume it's just as good in English, given overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Who_Counted

It won't really teach him math per se, but if my experience is any indication, it will get him hooked on developing intuition and he'll find beauty in otherwise mundane topics such as arithmetic. It's an incredibly engaging story aimed at younger readers but fun for people of all ages – think Arabian Nights with a character that loves math.

Come to think of it, I've got to buy it again and re-read it one of these days

If they might enjoy something on computing, I'd recommend "The Pattern On The Stone: The Simple Ideas That Make Computers Work" by W.Daniel Hillis. It's very clear and well written, is quite short but covers a lot and can be enjoyed cover to cover more like a novel than a textbook.

As a child, I greatly enjoyed "Algebra the Easy Way", "Trigonometry the Easy Way", and "Calculus the Easy Way". They present each of the subjects not as already-invented concepts that you just have to learn, but as things being invented by a fictional kingdom as they need them. I greatly prefer that style over rote memorization; I can remember it better when I know how to recreate it. Even more importantly, it encourages the mindset that all of these things were invented, and that other things can be, too.

(Note: the other books in the "Easy Way" series do not follow the same style, and are just ordinary textbooks.)

Also, in a completely different direction, I haven't seen anyone mention Feynman yet, and that will definitely encourage a broader view of mathematics and science.

Or, to go another angle, you might consider things like "Thinking, Fast and Slow".

This may not be exactly what you are looking for but you should checkout the cartoon introduction to economics by Yoram Bauman. Its a good book to start an interest in economics, it is not deep at all but could lead to other sources.