Approaching Precalculus Mathematics Discretely – Explorations etc (Paper): Explorations in a Computer Environment (Exploring With Logo Series) - Softcover

Lewis, Pg

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0262620634 ISBN 13: 9780262620635

Publisher: MIT Press, 1990

Synopsis

Approaching Precalculus Mathematics Discretely introduces concepts of discrete mathematics through the computer, making them easier to teach and more fun to learn. Philip Lewis shows how this can be accomplished using the Logo language to apply and explore much of the material in standard high school advanced algebra and precalculus programs. He develops sophisticated programming techniques in conjunction with mathematical concepts that make the book a model for teachers looking for ways to integrate computers into the mathematics curriculum.

The opening chapter introduces the use of Logo to express a variety of basic mathematical functions. The next four chapters broaden the discussion to include elementary vector operations, in the plane and linear transformations and matrix operations defined as vector-valid functions. Chapter 4 applies the theory of linear transformations to the mapping of two dimensional geometric objects drawn on the computer screen.

Chapter 5 takes up mathematical induction and recursion. This allows the transformation theory of chapter 4 to be extended to wire frame objects in space that are projected on the computer screen. Chapter 7 constructs a graphing utility that is used in subsequent chapters to examine the graphs of a variety of functions and to introduce the concept of a limit. This extends to an intuitive introduction to slope and the derivative in order to establish a territory for the calculus. The two chapters that follow examine the traditional cyclic functions from a graphic and transformational point of view. The book concludes by outlining explorations of topics from earlier chapters.

Philip G. Lewis teaches mathematics and computer science at Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School in Sudbury Massachusetts. Approaching Precalculus Mathematics Discretely is included in the series Exploring with Logo, edited by E. Paul Goldenberg.

About this title

Review

..."one of the more interesting books of applied mathematics"-- McKissack, Wisconsin State Journal " ...one of the more interesting books of applied mathematics" -- McKissack, Wisconsin State Journal & quot; ...one of the more interesting books of applied mathematics& quot; -- McKissack, Wisconsin State Journal .,."one of the more interesting books of applied mathematics" -- McKissack, "Wisconsin State Journal" ."..one of the more interesting books of applied mathematics"-- McKissack, "Wisconsin State Journal"

Synopsis

Introduces concepts of discrete mathematics through the computer. Lewis shows how the Logo language can be used to apply and explore much of the material in standard high school advanced algebra and precalculus courses. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Edition details

• Publisher: MIT Press
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0262620634
• ISBN 13: 9780262620635
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 574