Rediscovering Mathematics is an eclectic collection of mathematical topics and puzzles aimed at talented youngsters and inquisitive adults who want to expand their view of mathematics. By focusing on problem solving, and discouraging rote memorisation, the book shows how to learn and teach mathematics through investigation, experimentation and discovery. Rediscovering Mathematics is also an excellent text for training mathematics teachers at all levels. Topics range in difficulty and cover a wide range of historical periods, with some examples demonstrating how to uncover mathematics in everyday life, including number theory and its application to secure communication over the Internet, the algebraic and combinatorial work of a medieval mathematician Rabbi, and applications of probability to sports, casinos, and everyday life. Rediscovering Mathematics provides a fresh view of mathematics for those who already like the subject, and offers a second chance for those who think they don't.
Reihe
Sprache
Verlagsort
Verlagsgruppe
Cambridge University Press
Zielgruppe
Für höhere Schule und Studium
Illustrationen
68 b/w illus. 15 colour illus. 7 tables 181 exercises
Maße
Höhe: 261 mm
Breite: 182 mm
Dicke: 18 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-0-88385-770-0 (9780883857700)
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Autor*in
Stonehill College, Massachusetts
Shai Simonson received his BA in Mathematics at Columbia University, and his MS and Ph.D. in Computer Science at Northwestern University. Having previously taught at universities including the University of Illinois, Northwestern University, Tel Aviv University and ArsDigita University, he is now a Professor of Computer Science at Stonehill College, Massachusetts.
Preface - a guide for the reader
Introduction - how to read mathematics
1. Mathematical discovery in the classroom
2. Don't reach for your calculator (yet)
3. Have another piece of pie, Zeno?
4. Thinking like a mathematician - lessons from a medieval Rabbi
5. What's mathematics good for?
6. Three averages
7. Algorithms - the unexpected role of pure mathematics
8. Pythagoras' Theorem and math by pictures
9. Memorizing versus understanding
10. Games and gambling
11. Soccer balls and counting tricks
12. Pizza Pi and area
13. Back to the classroom
Resources for rediscovering mathematics
Further reading.