Symmetry, Shape, and Space: An Introduction to Mathematics Through Geometry (Key Curriculum Press) - Hardcover

Kinsey, L. Christine; Moore, Teresa E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0470412380 ISBN 13: 9780470412381

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2008

Synopsis

Symmetry, Shape, and Space uses the visual nature of geometry to involve readers in discovering mathematics. The text allows readers to study and analyze patterns for themselves, which in turn teaches creativity, as well as analytical and visualization skills. Varied content, activities, and examples lead readers into an investigative process and provide the experience of doing and discovering mathematics as mathematicians do. Exercises requiring readers to express their ideas in writing and to create drawings or physical models make math a hands-on experience. Assuming no mathematics beyond the high school level, Symmetry, Shape, and Space is the perfect introduction to mathematics, and it is designed so that each chapter is independent of the others, allowing great flexibility.

About this title

Review

From the reviews:

"The text is written in an accessible and chatty style ... . There is, however, a very conscious effort to engage the reader in active exploration and discovery, and so every topic is introduced as a practical exercise involving equipment which is readily available in every classroom, and the text is peppered with problems and questions for investigation. ... There are so many good things covered in the text that it is hard to pick out one or two." (Gerry Leversha, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 86 (505), 2002)

"This is an excellent book on geometry written at an elementary level. So the starting point of the book are the basics of Euclidean geometry ... . What comes then is a wealth of examples, exercises and results, always stimulating the reader to make his own experiments, drawings, and conjectures. ... The book is full with nicely drawn pictures thus emphasizing the visual aspect of geometry. A final chapter includes hints and solutions to selected problems and a large number of references." (Hans Havlicek, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 974, 2001)

From the reviews:

"The text is written in an accessible and chatty style ... . There is, however, a very conscious effort to engage the reader in active exploration and discovery, and so every topic is introduced as a practical exercise involving equipment which is readily available in every classroom, and the text is peppered with problems and questions for investigation. ... There are so many good things covered in the text that it is hard to pick out one or two." (Gerry Leversha, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 86 (505), 2002)

"This is an excellent book on geometry written at an elementary level. So the starting point of the book are the basics of Euclidean geometry ... . What comes then is a wealth of examples, exercises and results, always stimulating the reader to make his own experiments, drawings, and conjectures. ... The book is full with nicely drawn pictures thus emphasizing the visual aspect of geometry. A final chapter includes hints and solutions to selected problems and a large number of references." (Hans Havlicek, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 974, 2001)

From the Back Cover

Symmetry, shape, and Space is designed to involve students in discovering mathematics. It is appropriate for introduction to mathematics and liberal arts mathematics courses and assumes no mathematics beyond the high school level. Students in many diverse programs will benefit from the authors' use of innovative and engaging pedagogical models. Geometry is the basis of the text because the visual nature of the subject allows students to use their intuition and imagination while developing the ability to think critically. Students study and analyze patterns for themselves, thereby learning and enhancing analytic skills, creativity, and visualization skills. Varied content within the text, activities, and examples leads students into an investigative process and provides the experience of doing and discovering mathematics as mathematicians do. Many of the exercises in the text require students to express their ideas clearly in writing, wile other exercises require drawings or physical models, which help make math a more hands-on experience. The dual geometric and algebraic nature of mathematics is integrated throughout the text.

This text is written so that each chapter is essentially independent of the others, allowing a great deal o flexibility in designing a course. Much of the material in this book is written in such a way that mathematics teachers at the secondary or elementary level can use it for enrichment purposes. Students of art, architecture, and design will enjoy experiencing geometry from a mathematical perspective. Mathematics professionals and educators will find these explorations of nontraditional geometric topics intriguing. Topics include billiards, theoretical origami, tailings, polyhedra, the fourth dimension, optical illusions, soap bubbles, mazes, and topology.

• Recommended for courses in: Liberal Arts Mathematics, Mathematics Explorations, Mathematics for teaches, Topics in Geometry, Special topics in Mathematics.
• Also available bundled with The Geometer's Sketchpad Dynamic Geometry software at a special price.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0470412380
• ISBN 13: 9780470412381
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 494