Aftermath: The Life-Changing Math That Schools Won't Teach You

“In the age of AI and data, we badly need to rethink the way we teach math in U.S. schools. Dintersmith has joyfully illustrated how we can pull the subject out of irrelevance in the eyes of our students—a must read for teachers and parents alike.” – Steve Levitt, Author, Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics

“In energetic, no-frills prose, he brings to life the ‘revealing math that profoundly affects you, your loved ones, and your fellow citizens,’ demonstrating its power and utility in understanding the world in which we live. An illuminating book that makes complex math concepts approachable.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Aftermath is a great demonstration of the power of math, nowhere near as irrelevant and boring as school would lead us to believe, and a wake-up call to modernize our education system.” – Gabriel Santos for Readers’ Favorite

“Aftermath elevates our perspective on math – the ideas that matter and what’s at stake. It’s all about the math that shapes our economic and democratic aspirations, and bears on equitable access to opportunity. Without this understanding, we cannot get back to truth and trust” – Carole Basile, Dean, Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching, Arizona State University

“Aftermath is an important and urgent call for equipping all Americans with essential math skills and mindsets. Nothing short of a revolution is needed to swap out obsolete rote procedures for math’s life-defining ideas: the math behind the economy, civics, science, sports, personal finances, and life-and-death medical decisions. Aftermath offers a blueprint for math that’s revealing, relevant, and empowering.” – Ryan Craig, Managing Director of Achieve Partners. Author of Apprentice Nation, A New U, and College Disrupted

“If you ever concluded you weren’t a ‘math person’ because of high school algebra — as I did — Aftermath is your vindication. Ted Dintersmith reveals that the problem wasn’t you—it was a curriculum that prioritizes ‘one-right-answer’ procedures over critical thinking and creative problem-solving. By brilliantly explaining the Revealing Math that matters most—from spotting financial fraud to making life-and-death healthcare decisions—Dintersmith resuscitates our collective math curiosity and offers an essential framework for what math should be taught.”-Tony Wagner, Author, The Global Achievement Gap, Creating Innovators, Mastery

“Ted Dintersmith’s Aftermath is a bold and timely call to rethink how we teach and learn mathematics. He challenges long-held assumptions and offers a compelling vision for a future where math education is relevant, empowering, and deeply human. This book will spark important conversations among educators, parents, and policymakers alike.” – James Lane, Former Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction. CEO, University Instructors

“Aftermath exposes the opportunity cost of outdated K-12 math education—and offers real solutions. Essential reading for those setting the education agenda, for anyone navigating financial decisions, and especially for those who were turned off by math in school, never exploring math’s relevance and power.” – Stephen Cucchiaro. CEO & Chief Investment Officer, 3EDGE Asset Management

“Setting our kids up for lifelong success means giving them the tools they need to navigate an ever-changing world—and that starts with math. Ted tells us where we’re getting it wrong and how we can put our kids on the right path for their future success. This is a must-read for every parent, educator, and policymaker.” – Governor Gretchen Whitmer

“My preteen son stole this book from me and I had to wrestle it back! Aftermath overflows with practical math lessons and, better still, with love and reverence for its subject. The Bringley boys salute you, Ted!” – Patrick Bringley, New York Times bestselling author of All the Beauty in the World

Ted Dintersmith holds a Ph.D. in Engineering from Stanford and a B.A. with High Honors in Physics and English from William & Mary. His

innovation career includes being ranked the top-performing U.S. venture capitalist for the years 1995–1999. His books (including What School Could Be), films (including Most Likely to Succeed and Multiple Choice), and philanthropic efforts (including the non-profit WhatSchoolCouldBe.org) call for education priorities that help people capitalize on -rather than be victimized by – the tsunami of innovation reshaping society. In 2012, he was appointed by President Obama to represent the U.S. at the United Nations, focusing on youth potential. In 2018, he received the NEA’s prestigious “Friend of Education” Award.