The Calculus of Friendship. What a Teacher and a Student Learned about Life While Corresponding about Math

Strogatz, Steven

ISBN 10: 0691134936 / ISBN 13: 9780691134932

Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 2009

About this Item

With illustrations. Some pages with neat annotations in pencil. Otherwise light shelfwear only. ; With illustrations. Some pages with neat annotations in pencil. This book is a poignant memoir by Steven Strogatz, chronicling his decades-long correspondence with his high school calculus teacher, Don Joffray. Through their letters, they explore mathematical problems, share personal experiences, and reflect on life's challenges and joys. This book beautifully illustrates the profound impact of mentorship and the enduring power of intellectual curiosity and friendship. ; Octavo; xiv, 166 pages.

Seller Inventory # LCH47010

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Calculus of Friendship. What a Teacher and a Student Learned about Life While Corresponding about Math
• Publisher: Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0691134936
• ISBN 13: 9780691134932
• Binding: Original decorated boards
• Edition: First Edition; First Impression.
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: As New dust

About this title

Synopsis

"The Calculus of Friendship" is the story of an extraordinary connection between a teacher and a student, as chronicled through more than thirty years of letters between them. What makes their relationship unique is that it is based almost entirely on a shared love of calculus. For them, calculus is more than a branch of mathematics; it is a game they love playing together, a constant when all else is in flux. The teacher goes from the prime of his career to retirement, competes in whitewater kayaking at the international level, and loses a son. The student matures from high school math whiz to Ivy League professor, suffers the sudden death of a parent, and blunders into a marriage destined to fail. Yet through it all they take refuge in the haven of calculus - until a day comes when calculus is no longer enough. Like calculus itself, "The Calculus of Friendship" is an exploration of change. It's about the transformation that takes place in a student's heart, as he and his teacher reverse roles, as they age, as they are buffeted by life itself. Written by a renowned teacher and communicator of mathematics, "The Calculus of Friendship" is warm, intimate, and deeply moving. The most inspiring ideas of calculus, differential equations, and chaos theory are explained through metaphors, images, and anecdotes in a way that all readers will find beautiful, and even poignant. Math enthusiasts, from high school students to professionals, will delight in the offbeat problems and lucid explanations in the letters. For anyone whose life has been changed by a mentor, "The Calculus of Friendship" will be an unforgettable journey.

About the Author

Steven Strogatz is the Jacob Gould Schurman Professor of Applied Mathematics at Cornell University. His books include the best-selling "Sync: The Emerging Science of Spontaneous Order" (Hyperion). He has written for the "New York Times"'s Opinionator blog.