Mathematical Gems II


Book Description

Ross Honsberger was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1929 and attended the University of Toronto. After more than a decade of teaching mathematics in Toronto, he took advantage of a sabbatical leave to continue his studies at the University of Waterloo, Canada. He joined the faculty in 1964 (Department of Combinatorics and Optimization) and has been there ever since. He is married, the father of three, and grandfather of three. He has published seven bestselling books with the Mathematical Association of America. Here is a selection of reviews of Ross Honsberger's books: The reviewer found this little book a joy to read ... the text is laced with historical notes and lively anecdotes and the proofs are models of lucid, uncluttered reasoning. (about Mathematical Gems I) P. Hagis, Jr., in Mathematical Reviews This book is designed to appeal to high school teachers and undergraduates particularly, but should find a much wider audience. The clarity of exposition and the care taken with all aspects of explanations, diagrams and notation is of a very high standard. (about Mathematical Gems II) K. E. Hirst, in Mathematical Reviews All (i.e., the articles in Mathematical Gems III) are written in the very clear style that characterizes the two previous volumes, and there is bound to be something here that will appeal to anyone, both student and teacher alike. For instructors, Mathematical Gems III is useful as a source of thematic ideas around which to build classroom lectures ... Mathematical Gems III is to be warmly recommended, and we look forward to the appearance of a fourth volume in the series. Joseph B. Dence, Mathematics and Computer Education These delightful little books contain between them 27 short essays on topics from geometry, combinatorics, graph theory, and number theory. The essays are independent, and can be read in any order ... overall these are serious books presenting pretty mathematics with elegant proofs. These books deserve a place in the library of every teacher of mathematics as a valuable resource. Further, as much of the material would not be beyond upper secondary students, inclusion in school libraries may be felt desirable too (about Mathematical Gems I and II) Paul Scott, in The Australian Mathematics Teacher




Mathematical Gems I


Book Description

This book deals with the number system, one of the basic structures in mathematics. It is concerned especially with way of classifying numbers into various categories; for example, it provides some criteria for deciding if a given number is rational (i.e., representable as a common fraction) or irrational, if it is algebraic or transcendental. In the course of the later chapters, the reader is introduced to some of the more recent developments in mathematics. Professor Niven's book may be read with profit by interested high school students as well as by college students and others who want to know more about the basic aspect of pure mathematics. Most readers will find the early chapters well within their grasp while ambitious readers will profit by the more advanced material to be found in later chapters.




Monthly Problem Gems


Book Description

This book is an outgrowth of a collection of sixty-two problems offered in the The American Mathematical Monthly (AMM) the author has worked over the last two decades. Each selected problem has a central theme, contains gems of sophisticated ideas connected to important current research, and opens new vistas in the understanding of mathematics. The AMM problem section provides one of the most challenging and interesting problem sections among the various journals and online sources currently available. The published problems and solutions have become a treasure trove rife with mathematical gems. The author presents either his published solution in the AMM or an alternative solution to the published one to present and develop problem-solving techniques. A rich glossary of important theorems and formulas is included for easy reference. The reader may regard this book as a starter set for AMM problems, providing a jumping of point to new ideas, and extending their personal lexicon of problems and solutions. This collection is intended to encourage the reader to move away from routine exercises toward creative solutions, as well as offering the reader a systematic illustration of how to organize the transition from problem solving to exploring, investigating and discovering new results.




Mathematical Gems II


Book Description




Euler's Gem


Book Description

How a simple equation reshaped mathematics Leonhard Euler’s polyhedron formula describes the structure of many objects—from soccer balls and gemstones to Buckminster Fuller’s buildings and giant all-carbon molecules. Yet Euler’s theorem is so simple it can be explained to a child. From ancient Greek geometry to today’s cutting-edge research, Euler’s Gem celebrates the discovery of Euler’s beloved polyhedron formula and its far-reaching impact on topology, the study of shapes. Using wonderful examples and numerous illustrations, David Richeson presents this mathematical idea’s many elegant and unexpected applications, such as showing why there is always some windless spot on earth, how to measure the acreage of a tree farm by counting trees, and how many crayons are needed to color any map. Filled with a who’s who of brilliant mathematicians who questioned, refined, and contributed to a remarkable theorem’s development, Euler’s Gem will fascinate every mathematics enthusiast. This paperback edition contains a new preface by the author.




Excursions in Calculus


Book Description

This book explores the interplay between the two main currents of mathematics, the continuous and the discrete.




An Excursion through Elementary Mathematics, Volume II


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive, in-depth overview of elementary mathematics as explored in Mathematical Olympiads around the world. It expands on topics usually encountered in high school and could even be used as preparation for a first-semester undergraduate course. This second volume covers Plane Geometry, Trigonometry, Space Geometry, Vectors in the Plane, Solids and much more. As part of a collection, the book differs from other publications in this field by not being a mere selection of questions or a set of tips and tricks that applies to specific problems. It starts from the most basic theoretical principles, without being either too general or too axiomatic. Examples and problems are discussed only if they are helpful as applications of the theory. Propositions are proved in detail and subsequently applied to Olympic problems or to other problems at the Olympic level. The book also explores some of the hardest problems presented at National and International Mathematics Olympiads, as well as many essential theorems related to the content. An extensive Appendix offering hints on or full solutions for all difficult problems rounds out the book.




Gems in Experimental Mathematics


Book Description

These proceedings reflect the special session on Experimental Mathematics held January 5, 2009, at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in Washington, DC as well as some papers specially solicited for this volume. Experimental Mathematics is a recently structured field of Mathematics that uses the computer and advanced computing technology as a tool to perform experiments. These include the analysis of examples, testing of new ideas, and the search of patterns to suggest results and to complement existing analytical rigor. The development of a broad spectrum of mathematical software products, such as MathematicaR and MapleTM, has allowed mathematicians of diverse backgrounds and interests to use the computer as an essential tool as part of their daily work environment. This volume reflects a wide range of topics related to the young field of Experimental Mathematics. The use of computation varies from aiming to exclude human input in the solution of a problem to traditional mathematical questions for which computation is a prominent tool.




Mathematics and Sports


Book Description

This is an eclectic compendium of the essays solicited for the 2010 Mathematics Awareness Month Web page on the theme of 'Mathematics and Sports'. In keeping with the goal of promoting mathematics awareness to a broad audience, all of the articles are accessible to university-level mathematics students and many are accessible to the general public. The book is divided into sections by the kind of sports. The section on American football includes an article that evaluates a method for reducing the advantage of the winner to a coin flip in an NFL overtime game; the section on track and field examines the ultimate limit on how fast a human can run 100 metres; the section on baseball includes an article on the likelihood of streaks; the section on golf has an article that describes the double-pendulum model of a golf swing and an article on modelling Tiger Woods' career.




CRC Concise Encyclopedia of Mathematics


Book Description

Upon publication, the first edition of the CRC Concise Encyclopedia of Mathematics received overwhelming accolades for its unparalleled scope, readability, and utility. It soon took its place among the top selling books in the history of Chapman & Hall/CRC, and its popularity continues unabated. Yet also unabated has been the d