Demathtifying

Taking a fresh look at mathematics, Samson takes out the mystery and puts the magic back in. Entertaining, engaging, and enthralling, this book provides the reason behind the instructions. (Mathematics)

The aim of this book is to offer some help to teachers who are not very confident of their own understanding of mathematics, but want to give some basic help to dyslexics and others in the particular areas needed by them. To that end the chapters give separate topics with clear explanations for the teacher of the content to be taught, suggestions about how to teach it, exercises with answers, and in the Appendix a list of helpful materials and software. Teachers can pick out a topic without necessarily following the order in the book.

Provides a comprehensive introduction to teaching and learning mathematics in today's classrooms.

Hallmark features include: * A focus on the important ideas of mathematics that students will retain long after their formal studies are complete. * An engaging and humorous style, written to be read and enjoyed. * Ten Life Lessons that readers will apply beyond their study of mathematics. * Use of a variety of visualization techniques that direct students to model their thinking and to actively explore the world around them. New to this Edition: * A new chapter, Deciding Wisely: Applications of Rigorous Thought, provides a thought-provoking capstone. * Expanded and improved statistics and probability content in Chapter 7, Taming Uncertainty. * Enhanced Mindscapes at the end of each section which ask the reader to review, apply and think deeply about the ideas presented in the chapter. * Radically superior ancillary package.

Opening another drawer in his Cabinet of Curiosities, renowned mathematics professor Ian Stewart presents a new medley of games, paradoxes, and riddles in Professor Stewart's Hoard of Mathematical Treasures. With wit and aplomb, Stewart mingles casual puzzles with grander forays into ancient and modern mathematical thought. Amongst a host of arcane and astonishing facts about every kind of number from irrational and imaginary to complex and cuneiform, we learn: How to organize chaos How matter balances anti-matter How to turn a sphere inside out (without creasing it) How to calculate pi by observing the stars . . . and why you can't comb a hairy ball. Along the way Stewart offers the reader tantalizing glimpses of the mathematics underlying life and the universe. Mind-stretching, enlightening, and endlessly amusing, Professor Stewart's Hoard of Mathematical Treasures will stimulate, delight, and enthrall.