Mathematical Fallacies, Flaws, and Flimflam (Spectrum) - Softcover

Barbeau, Edward J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0883855291 ISBN 13: 9780883855294

Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America, 2000

Synopsis

Through hard experience mathematicians have learned to subject even the most 'evident' assertions to rigorous scrutiny, as intuition and facile reasoning can often be misleading. However, errors can slip past the most watchful eye, they are often subtle and difficult to detect; but when found they can teach us a lot and can present a real challenge to straighten out. This book collects together a mass of such errors, drawn from the work of students, textbooks, and the media, as well as from professional mathematicians themselves. Each of these items is carefully analysed and the source of the error is exposed. All serious students of mathematics will find this book both enlightening and entertaining.

About this title

About the Author

Edward J. Barbeau received his Ph.D. from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. He was a postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University, and has taught mathematics at the University of Toronto since 1967. He was named Fellow of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (1989), and has received the David Hilbert Award (1991) from the World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions and the Adrian Pouliot Award (1995) from the Canadian Mathematical Society. His other books include: Five Hundred Mathematical Challenges with M.S. Klamkin and W.O. Moser (published by The Mathematical Association of America), Polynomials, and After Math. He has been a frequent speaker and was invited on two occasions to give lectures by the Royal Canadian Institute, devoted to disseminating science to the layman. He also gave a series of three radio broadcasts, "Proof and Truth in Mathematics" over the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Network.

Edition details

• Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0883855291
• ISBN 13: 9780883855294
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 182