Strategy Games to Enhance Problem-Solving Ability in Mathematics

Posamentier, Alfred S.; Krulik, Stephen

ISBN 10: 9813146346 / ISBN 13: 9789813146341

Published by WSPC, 2016

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 28068638-n

Bibliographic Details

Title: Strategy Games to Enhance Problem-Solving ...

Publisher: WSPC

Publication Date: 2016

Binding: Soft cover

Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis:

This is a fascinating read, giving the reader many games to try and much to learn … This book is a real gem. I have already enjoyed sharing some of the games with students at school and they've begun to see the challenge involved in winning. With careful planning on my part we have been able to link the thinking behind their winning strategies with problem‐solving techniques necessary for many maths questions. I am sure these lessons provoked much thought by the students and they have gained in their approach to problem‐solving, not just with the temporary benefits of winning at a strategy game. ‐ Mathematical Gazette

The potential offered for improving problem-solving skills ‐ coupled with students enjoyment and engagement ‐ warrants its consideration for use in classrooms. After all, who doesn t like to play games, especially games that promise to improve our problem-solving skills.

‐ Mathematics Teacher

Games are seen only for recreation. However, this book shows that games can be used to strengthen problem-solving skills and beyond. This book presents strategy games and discusses for each one solutions towards a winning position in the game. In most cases, these strategies are analogous to problem-solving strategies in mathematics. Readers are also exposed to a wide variety of games from several different cultures, which will broaden the perspective of the readers.

Review:

This book may be used by an instructor to energize his or her classroom with fun and challenging problems. The games do not require any special equipment. Most can be played with paper, pencil and a copy of the game board. It is a good collection of different types of strategy games. By design, each game fosters mathematical growth. Many of the games originate from various countries around the world. This will allow the reader to experience a bit of cultural growth. --MAA Reviews

This is a nice collection of board games, and when pupils will play such games, they will develop some winning strategies for these games, and these skills will probably help in cultivating certain attitudes and perhaps working schemes to tackle mathematical problems. --European Mathematical Society

I recommend this book for teachers seeking enrichment activities for their students or ideas for a family math event. These games would also be ideal for use when there are an extra five minutes during the day or for an advisory period. Students may enjoy working through the book independently as they could easily understand the rules of each game and play them with peers or family members. --Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School