The Joy Of Mathematics: Marvels, Novelties, and Neglected Gems That Are Rarely Taught in Math Class

Author(s): Alfred S. Posamentier; Robert Geretschläger (Contribution by); Charles Li (Contribution by); Christian Spreitzer (Contribution by)

Maths/Numbers

Wouldn't it be great if all school teachers (from kindergarten through high school) would share the joy of mathematics with their students, rather than focus only on the prescribed curriculum that will subsequently be tested? aThis book promises to help teachers and all readers do just that by revealing some wonders of mathematics often missing from classrooms. Here's your chance to catch up with the math gems you may have missed in your school years. aaaa Using jargon-free language and many illustrations, the authors--all veteran math educators--explore five areas--arithmetic, algebra, geometry, probability, and the ways in which mathematics can reinforce common sense. Among other things, you'll learn "the rule of 72," which enables you to quickly determine how long it will take your bank account to double its value at a specific interest rate. Other handy techniques include an automatic algorithm for multiplying numbers mentally and a clever application that will allow you to convert from miles to kilometers (or the reverse) mentally. A delightful presentation of geometric novelties reveals relationships that could have made your study of geometry more fun and enlightening. In the area of probability there is a host of interesting examples- from the famous Monty-Hall problem to the counterintuitive probability of two people having the same birthday in a crowded room. aaaa Finally, the authors demonstrate how math will make you a better thinker by improving your organizing abilities and providing useful and surprising solutions to common mathematics problems. You'll come away with a grasp of math you never thought possible and a true appreciation for this "queen of the sciences."

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"Too many young people leave school without ever having acquired an enjoyment of [mathematics] or recognition of the importance of mathematical understanding in everyday life, from our bank accounts to politicians' use of statistics. This delightful book fills a vital role in making mathematics relevant, intelligible, and above all--fun! I recommend it unreservedly to pupils and teachers as a way of opening the door to joy in this key subject." --Baroness Pauline Perry, former head of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge University, and formerly Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education "The Joy of Mathematics includes wonderful examples of often-overlooked gems in elementary mathematics. Even an expert can benefit a lot from it, but it is written in such a catchy style that everyone--layperson or expert--will enjoy each page." --Rudolf Taschner, professor at the Technical University of Vienna, Austria's 2004 Scientist of the Year, and author of Game Changers"A pleasant and fascinating excursion through the amusements, byways, curiosities, and diversions of mathematics. It even gets up to public-key cryptography and several unsolved problems. This is just the book to give to anyone who doesn't like mathematics or who wonders, What is 'recreational mathematics'?" --David Singmaster, author of Problems for Metagrobologists "The Joy of Mathematics includes wonderful examples of often-overlooked gems in elementary mathematics. Even an expert can benefit a lot from it, but it is written in such a catchy style that everyone--layperson or expert--will enjoy each page." --Rudolf Taschner, professor at the Technical University of Vienna, Austria's 2004 Scientist of the Year, and author of Game Changers PRAISE FOR THE WORK OF ALFRED S. POSAMENTIER: "[A] joyously nerdy celebration of the history of geometry and trigonometry, exploring the dozens and dozens of curiosities sitting just beneath the surface of a seemingly ordinary triangle." --San Francisco Book Review (reviewing Secrets of Triangles) "[Y]et another fine collection of mathematical insights, intriguing relationships, and surprising results focused on the triangle.... [A]n incredibly rich compendium of results that will lead the reader to consistently react in surprise about and appreciation of the richness and unexpected depth of triangular relationships.... [T]he illustrations are excellent. Highly Recommended." --Choice (reviewing The Secrets of Triangles) "This volume could be useful to a teacher of mathematics as a source of examples that can hammer home important concepts." --Library Journal (reviewing Magnificent Mistakes in Mathematics) PRAISE FOR THE WORK OF ALFRED S. POSAMENTIER: -[A] joyously nerdy celebration of the history of geometry and trigonometry, exploring the dozens and dozens of curiosities sitting just beneath the surface of a seemingly ordinary triangle.- --Sacramento/San Francisco Book Review (reviewing Secrets of Triangles) -[Y]et another fine collection of mathematical insights, intriguing relationships, and surprising results focused on the triangle.... [A]n incredibly rich compendium of results that will lead the reader to consistently react in surprise about and appreciation of the richness and unexpected depth of triangular relationships.... [T]he illustrations are excellent. Highly Recommended.- --Choice (reviewing The Secrets of Triangles) -This volume could be useful to a teacher of mathematics as a source of examples that can hammer home important concepts.- --Library Journal (reviewing Magnificent Mistakes in Mathematics)

Alfred S. Posamentier has published over sixty books in the area of mathematics and mathematics education, including, most recently, The Circle- A Mathematical Exploration beyond the Line (with Robert Geretschloger). After having been on the faculty of the City College of the City University of New York for forty years, where he was a professor of mathematics education and dean of the School of Education, he subsequently held the same positions at Mercy College, New York, for five years. He is currently Chief Liaison for International Academic Affairs at Long Island University.aaaa Robert Geretschloger is a mathematics teacher at Bundesrealgymnasium Keplerstrasse in Graz, Austria. He is the coauthor of The Circle (with Alfred S. Posamentier), Geometric Origami, and other works.aaaa Charles Li is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Mercy College. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the CUNY Graduate Center, and his B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering from Cooper Union.aaaa Christian Spreitzer teaches mathematics and physics at the University College of Teacher Education in Lower Austria.

General Fields

  • : 9781633882973
  • : Prometheus Books
  • : Prometheus Books
  • : 0.4
  • : January 2017
  • : 22.90 cmmm X 15.20 cmmm X 2.40 cmmm
  • : United States
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Alfred S. Posamentier; Robert Geretschläger (Contribution by); Charles Li (Contribution by); Christian Spreitzer (Contribution by)
  • : Paperback
  • : English
  • : 510
  • : very good
  • : 2017008896
  • : 319