Wi-Fi Technology Forum | Wireless Networking, Mobile Internet News and Reviews

Wi-Fi Technology Forum - Wireless Networking Products Reviews

Blogs
Reviews
Papers
Forums
Software
Publications
Product Reviews


Electronics Hardware, Software and Wireless Products Store


Search 


Mathematics in 10 Lessons: The Grand Tour


Mathematics in 10 Lessons: The Grand Tour

Binding: Paperback
Author: Jerry P. King
Manufacturer: Prometheus Books
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Features:
Average Rating: 4.5
Total Customer Reviews: 5
List Price: $18.95
Our Price: $12.89
Sales Rank: 56050

More Details



Product Description


Many of us trained mainly in the humanities and liberal arts may respect mathematics as an essential scientific discipline, but have done very little mathematics themselves and often feel intimidated by its rigors. If you ve ever wondered what mathematicians mean by the aesthetic elegance of their subject, here is your chance to experience firsthand mathematics intellectual pleasures.

Martin Gardner, in his review of Jerry King's The Art of Mathematics, praised King:

"Creative mathematicians seldom write for outsiders, but when they do, they usually do it well. Jerry King, a professor at Lehigh University, is no exception."

For his new book, Jerry P. King, has designed a grand tour of mathematics in ten essential lessons for the general reader who wants to know how mathematics is done. Almost no prior mathematical knowledge is assumed and through lively exposition and lucid explanations real mathematics is made not only palatable, but even enjoyable to the uninitiated.

Professor King begins by establishing two key points: first, all mathematics flows from a few fundamental principles. Second, aesthetic considerations provide both the motivation for mathematics research and the standards for evaluating that research. The book is structured so that the reader gradually builds up an ever-greater skill set as each lesson is mastered.

The essential concepts introduced include symbolic logic, infinity, rational numbers, number theory, real and imaginary numbers, function, probability, calculus, and the building of mathematical models in applied mathematics. Throughout his exposition, King provides brief historical digressions which highlight key developments made by the giants in the field of mathematics.

Eloquently written and clearly presented, Mathematics in 10 Lessons will inspire the reader to go on to learn more and will instill a true appreciation for mathematics as both an art and a science.

Users Product Reviews:

Product Review Summary: Basic principles of mathematics

As a mathematics professsor and author, I stress understanding basic principles, using them to solve problems, and reviewing them for examinations. High schools tend to present math as a collection of recipies that students need to master, which is not the correct spirit of mathematics. For this reason, I encourage reading the book. Disclaimer: I did not read the book, and so can only give it 3 stars. What is mathematics? A collection of arbitrary consistent statements. Your job as a student is to understand the ideas. Science is mathematics along with experimental and observational verification.

Product Review Summary: Glorious book

This is by far the best introductory book on mathematics, mathematical method
and mathematical thinking that I have ever read. This is a perfect book for autodidacts
who want to advance from non knowing math at all or knowing mathematical techniques to
truly understanding of the fundamentals of the mathematics and mathematics as a
purest form of thought and as a science.

Dr. King is an enthusiast and a math expert who skillfully and engagingly
introduces readers into the most fundamental and the most important principles
of math. Sections on number theory and origins of calculus are simply fantastic.

I sought this type of a book for the purpose of moving beyond mechanical math,
math for engineers and to get the understanding of the math fundamentals.
To start understanding math to the point where I do not need to memorize anything.

This book gave me exactly that type of understanding. Furthermore, this equipped me
with skills so that I can further delve into a math theory.

I recommend this book to all who want to learn mathematics.

I recommend this book to all who feel scared of math or who "hate" math but who want
to learn this science of sciences.

I recommend this book to all who secretly envy mathematicians for their esoteric knowledge.

I recommend this book to all engineers who are familiar with "mechanical" mathematics
- solving problems and applying formulas, but who want to learn foundations behind
the formula and to appreciate the beauty and the power of the mathematics.

Product Review Summary: A lively format and explanations make for a readable survey of basic math principles and aesthetics

Mathematics in 10 Lessons: The Grand Tour deserves ongoing recommendation as a powerful guide to math for any outside the usual field. Its ten lessons are intended for the general reader who wants to know how math is done, but has little prior math knowledge. A lively format and explanations make for a readable survey of basic math principles and aesthetics perfect for those who would appreciate an easy, lively overview. Any general lending library will want this.

Product Review Summary: The necessity to understand mathematics is simple

"Mathematics in 10 Lessons" is on the ROROTOKO list of cutting-edge intellectual nonfiction. Professor King's book interview ran here as cover feature on June 3, 2009.

Product Review Summary: 10 Easy Lessons make the grade

This is a good introduction book. It can be used for quick survey of topics. I used it as a refresh for topics I had some years back but forgot. There are enough worked proofs to satisfy me and a minimum of "proof left as an exercise". For that, I suggest the author create space on his errata website and post all the proofs left as an exercise.
I am an auto didactic and would benefit if the publisher made teacher's guides available on web to avoid printing costs.
Chapter 7 on probability could use additional material on distributions such as Gamma, Exponential, Poisson, and Weibull. Statistics section could use additional material on why Mean, Variance, Skewness, Kurtosis are called 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc Moments and simple proofs.
Calculus should keep what's there but could use additional material such as delta-epsilon graph showing the relation during Limits. Why stop with the derivative Power law? Include some other standard ones with proofs and explanations. A discussion, before differential equations, on related rates would be nice...with all the proof and example trimmings.
All-in-all a wonderful, remarkable book for the material.

More Details

Similar Products with reviews:


One Hundred Essential Things You Didn't Know You Didn't Know: Math Explains Your World

The Mathematical Mechanic: Using Physical Reasoning to Solve Problems

A Mathematician's Lament: How School Cheats Us Out of Our Most Fascinating and Imaginative Art Form

Mathematical Amazements and Surprises: Fascinating Figures and Noteworthy Numbers

The Art of Mathematics (Dover Books on Mathematics)

Wireless Products Store


Disclaimer: All product data on this page belongs to Amazon.com. No guarantees are made as to accuracy of prices and information.