In this clever, convivial book, an Indian boy untangles a mathematical conundrum to win a place at the Rajah’s court.

 

In ancient India, a boy named Bhagat travels to the Rajah’s city, hoping to ensure his family’s prosperity by winning a place at court as a singer. Bhagat carries his family’s entire fortune—a single coin and a chain of seven golden rings—to pay for his lodging. But when the innkeeper demands one ring per night, and every link snipped costs one coin, how can Bhagat both break the chain and avoid overpaying? His inventive solution points the way to an unexpected triumph, and offers readers a friendly lesson in binary numbers—the root of all computing.

 

* 'Charming … This succeeds both as an entertaining read-aloud and as a teasing introduction to the binary system.'—Booklist

 

Mathical Book Prize Winner, Mathematical Sciences Research Institute •

Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award Nominee 2023, Washington Library Association • Massachusetts Book Award Honor, Massachusetts Center for the Book • Charlotte Awards Nominee 2023, New York State Reading Association • Delaware Diamonds Awards, Diamond State Literacy Association