The mathematical topics contained in this year's ONE BOOK selection, The Housekeeper and the Professor, are studied in a course called the theory of numbers.  Only whole numbers are used.  The subset of prime numbers is special as seen in this story.  On the hunt for primes the Sieve of Eratsthenes is used. 
Many of the concepts found in nature come from the Fibonacci sequence, such as sunflower whorls, as well as the Golden Ratio which is used in art and architecture.   You too, can become a "calculating person!"
Jane Hurwitz is  a retired math teacher and adjunct instructor.   Registration is appreciated.