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A Mathematics Sampler

Topics for the Liberal Arts

William P. Berlinghoff; Kerry E. Grant and Dale Skrien

Now in its fifth edition, A Mathematics Sampler presents mathematics as both science and art, focusing on the historical role of mathematics in our culture. It uses selected topics from modern mathematics—including computers, perfect numbers, and four-dimensional geometry—to exemplify the distinctive features of mathematics as an intellectual endeavor, a problem-solving tool, and a way of thinking about the rapidly changing world in which we live. A Mathematics Sampler also includes unique LINK sections throughout the book, each of which connects mathematical concepts with areas of interest throughout the humanities. The original course on which this text is based was cited as an innovative approach to liberal arts mathematics in Lynne Cheney's report, "50 HOURS: A Core Curriculum for College Students", published by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
  • Details
  • Details
  • Author
  • Author
  • TOC
  • TOC
  • Features
  • Features
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 664 • Trim: 7¾ x 9½
978-0-7425-0202-4 • Hardback • January 2001 • $115.00 • (£88.00)
978-1-4616-0876-9 • eBook • January 2001 • $109.00 • (£84.00)
Subjects: Technology & Engineering / General, Mathematics / General, Mathematics / History & Philosophy
William P. Berlinghoff is visiting professor of mathematics at Colby College. Kerry E. Grant is professor of mathematics at Southern Connecticut State University. Dale Skrien is professor of computer science at Colby College
Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 To the Student
Part 3 Chapter 1: Problems and Solutions
Chapter 4 What Is Mathematics?
Chapter 5 Problem Solving
Chapter 6 It All Adds Up
Chapter 7 The Mathematical Way of Thinking
Chapter 8 Topics for Papers
Chapter 9 For Further Reading
Part 10 Chapter 2: Mathematics of Patterns: Number Theory
Chapter 11 What Is Number Theory?
Chapter 12 Divisibility
Chapter 13 Counting Divisors
Chapter 14 Summing Divisors
Chapter 15 Proper Divisors
Chapter 16 Even Perfect Numbers
Chapter 17 Mersenne Primes
Chapter 18 LINK: Number Theory and Cryptography
Chapter 19 Topics for Papers
Chapter 20 For Further Reading
Part 21 Chapter 3: Mathematics of Axiom Systems: Geometries
Chapter 22 What is Geometry?
Chapter 23 Euclidean Geometry
Chapter 24 Euclid and Parallel Lines
Chapter 25 Axiom Systems and Models
Chapter 26 Consistency and Independence
Chapter 27 Non-Euclidean Geometries
Chapter 28 Axiomatic Geometry and the Real World
Chapter 29 LINK: Axiom Systems and Society
Chapter 30 Topics for Papers
Chapter 31 For Further Reading
Part 32 Chapter 4: Mathematics of Chance: Probability and Statistics
Chapter 33 The Gamblers
Chapter 34 The Language of Sets
Chapter 35 What Is Probability?
Chapter 36 Counting Processes
Chapter 37 LINK: Counting and the Genetic Code
Chapter 38 Some Basic Rules of Probability
Chapter 39 Conditional Probability
Chapter 40 LINK: Probability and Marketing
Chapter 41 What Is Statistics?
Chapter 42 Central Tendency and Spread
Chapter 43 Distributions
Chapter 44 Generalization and Prediction
Chapter 45 LINK: Statistics in the Psychology of Learning
Chapter 46 Topics for Papers
Chapter 47 For Further Reading
Part 48 Chapter 5: Mathematics of Infinity: Cantor's Theory of Sets
Chapter 49 What Is Set Theory?
Chapter 50 Infinite Sets
Chapter 51 The SIze of N
Chapter 52 Rational and Irrational Numbers
Chapter 53 A Different Size
Chapter 54 Cardinal Numbers
Chapter 55 Cantor's Theorem
Chapter 56 The Continuum Hypothesis
Chapter 57 The Foundations of Mathematics
Chapter 58 LINK: Set Theory and Metaphysics
Chapter 59 Topics for Papers
Chapter 60 For Further Reading
Part 61 Chapter 6: Mathematics of Symmetry: Finite Groups
Chapter 62 What Is Group Theory?
Chapter 63 Operations
Chapter 64 Some Properties of Operations
Chapter 65 The Definition of a Group
Chapter 66 Some Basic Properties of Groups
Chapter 67 Subgroups
Chapter 68 Lagrange's Theorem
Chapter 69 Lagrange's Theorem Proved [Optional]
Chapter 70 Groups of Symmetries
Chapter 71 LINK: Groups in Music and in Chemistry
Chapter 72 Topics for Papers
Chapter 73 For Further Reading
Part 74 Chapter 7: Mathematics of Space and Time: Four-Dimensional Geometry
Chapter 75 What Is Four-Dimensional Geometry?
Chapter 76 One-Dimensional Space
Chapter 77 Two-Dimensional Space
Chapter 78 Three-Dimensional Space
Chapter 79 Four-Dimensional Space
Chapter 80 Cross Sections
Chapter 81 Cylinders and Cones [Optional]
Chapter 82 LINK: 4-Space in Fiction and in Art
Chapter 83 Topics for Papers
Chapter 84 For Further Reading
Part 85 Chapter 8: Mathematics of Connection : Graph Theory
Chapter 86 What Is Graph Theory?
Chapter 87 Some Basic Terms
Chapter 88 Edge Paths
Chapter 89 Vertex Paths
Chapter 90 Crossing Curves
Chapter 91 Euler's Formula
Chapter 92 Looking Back
Chapter 93 LINK: Diagraphs and Project Management
Chapter 94 Topics for Papers
Chapter 95 For Further Reading
Part 96 Chapter 9: Mathematics of Machines: Computer Algorithms
Chapter 97 What Is a Computer?
Chapter 98 The Traveling Salesman Problem
Chapter 99 The Speed of a Computer
Chapter 100 Algorithms and Sorting
Chapter 101 Comparing Algorithms
Chapter 102 Complexity Analysis
Chapter 103 NP-Completeness
Chapter 104 Implications of NP-Completeness
Chapter 105 LINK: Algorithms, Abstraction, and Strategic Planning
Chapter 106 Topics for Papers
Chapter 107 For Further Reading
Part 108 APPENDICES
Part 109 Appendix A: Basic Logic
Chapter 110 Statements and Their Negations
Chapter 111 Conjunctions and Disjunctions
Chapter 112 Conditionals and Deduction
Chapter 113 Topics for Papers
Chapter 114 For Further Reading
Part 115 Appendix B: A Brief History of Mathematics
Chapter 116 Preliminary Thoughts
Chapter 117 From the Beginning to 600 B.C.
Chapter 118 600 B.C. to A.D. 400
Chapter 119 400 to 1400
Chapter 123 The Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries
Chapter 124 The Seventeenth Century
Chapter 125 The Eighteenth Century
Chapter 126 The Nineteenth Century
Chapter 127 The Twentieth Century
Chapter 128 Topics for Papers
Chapter 129 For Further Reading
Part 130 Appendix C: Literacy in the Language of Mathematics
—Accessible and Intriguing: Provides liberal arts students with a broad appreciation of mathematics by exploring ways in which the artistic, aesthetic, intellectual, and humanistic aspects of mathematics are as important asits utility.

—Consistent Pedagogy: Each content chapter starts "from scratch" and proceeds to develop a significant mathematical idea, illustrating what mathematicians do in that area.

—Flexible Organization: the eight content chapters (chapters 2-9) may be covered in any combination and order. Some chapters have several natural stopping places to allow for introductory coverage as well as for in-depth exploration of the topic.

—Connects the Disciplines:A Mathematics Sampler provides brief, informal, and open-ended LINK sections at the end of each topic, connecting specific mathematical ideas with many other subject areas. The connections examined include art, fiction, music, philosophy, politics, psychology, social planning, and many more.

—Unique Writing Exercises: Spread throughout the book, these opportunities for writing reinforce mathematical content, and they provide suggestions for term papers.

—An Instructor's Manual written by William Berlinghoff is avail

A Mathematics Sampler

Topics for the Liberal Arts

Cover Image
Hardback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • Now in its fifth edition, A Mathematics Sampler presents mathematics as both science and art, focusing on the historical role of mathematics in our culture. It uses selected topics from modern mathematics—including computers, perfect numbers, and four-dimensional geometry—to exemplify the distinctive features of mathematics as an intellectual endeavor, a problem-solving tool, and a way of thinking about the rapidly changing world in which we live. A Mathematics Sampler also includes unique LINK sections throughout the book, each of which connects mathematical concepts with areas of interest throughout the humanities. The original course on which this text is based was cited as an innovative approach to liberal arts mathematics in Lynne Cheney's report, "50 HOURS: A Core Curriculum for College Students", published by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Details
Details
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
    Pages: 664 • Trim: 7¾ x 9½
    978-0-7425-0202-4 • Hardback • January 2001 • $115.00 • (£88.00)
    978-1-4616-0876-9 • eBook • January 2001 • $109.00 • (£84.00)
    Subjects: Technology & Engineering / General, Mathematics / General, Mathematics / History & Philosophy
Author
Author
  • William P. Berlinghoff is visiting professor of mathematics at Colby College. Kerry E. Grant is professor of mathematics at Southern Connecticut State University. Dale Skrien is professor of computer science at Colby College
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Chapter 1 Preface
    Chapter 2 To the Student
    Part 3 Chapter 1: Problems and Solutions
    Chapter 4 What Is Mathematics?
    Chapter 5 Problem Solving
    Chapter 6 It All Adds Up
    Chapter 7 The Mathematical Way of Thinking
    Chapter 8 Topics for Papers
    Chapter 9 For Further Reading
    Part 10 Chapter 2: Mathematics of Patterns: Number Theory
    Chapter 11 What Is Number Theory?
    Chapter 12 Divisibility
    Chapter 13 Counting Divisors
    Chapter 14 Summing Divisors
    Chapter 15 Proper Divisors
    Chapter 16 Even Perfect Numbers
    Chapter 17 Mersenne Primes
    Chapter 18 LINK: Number Theory and Cryptography
    Chapter 19 Topics for Papers
    Chapter 20 For Further Reading
    Part 21 Chapter 3: Mathematics of Axiom Systems: Geometries
    Chapter 22 What is Geometry?
    Chapter 23 Euclidean Geometry
    Chapter 24 Euclid and Parallel Lines
    Chapter 25 Axiom Systems and Models
    Chapter 26 Consistency and Independence
    Chapter 27 Non-Euclidean Geometries
    Chapter 28 Axiomatic Geometry and the Real World
    Chapter 29 LINK: Axiom Systems and Society
    Chapter 30 Topics for Papers
    Chapter 31 For Further Reading
    Part 32 Chapter 4: Mathematics of Chance: Probability and Statistics
    Chapter 33 The Gamblers
    Chapter 34 The Language of Sets
    Chapter 35 What Is Probability?
    Chapter 36 Counting Processes
    Chapter 37 LINK: Counting and the Genetic Code
    Chapter 38 Some Basic Rules of Probability
    Chapter 39 Conditional Probability
    Chapter 40 LINK: Probability and Marketing
    Chapter 41 What Is Statistics?
    Chapter 42 Central Tendency and Spread
    Chapter 43 Distributions
    Chapter 44 Generalization and Prediction
    Chapter 45 LINK: Statistics in the Psychology of Learning
    Chapter 46 Topics for Papers
    Chapter 47 For Further Reading
    Part 48 Chapter 5: Mathematics of Infinity: Cantor's Theory of Sets
    Chapter 49 What Is Set Theory?
    Chapter 50 Infinite Sets
    Chapter 51 The SIze of N
    Chapter 52 Rational and Irrational Numbers
    Chapter 53 A Different Size
    Chapter 54 Cardinal Numbers
    Chapter 55 Cantor's Theorem
    Chapter 56 The Continuum Hypothesis
    Chapter 57 The Foundations of Mathematics
    Chapter 58 LINK: Set Theory and Metaphysics
    Chapter 59 Topics for Papers
    Chapter 60 For Further Reading
    Part 61 Chapter 6: Mathematics of Symmetry: Finite Groups
    Chapter 62 What Is Group Theory?
    Chapter 63 Operations
    Chapter 64 Some Properties of Operations
    Chapter 65 The Definition of a Group
    Chapter 66 Some Basic Properties of Groups
    Chapter 67 Subgroups
    Chapter 68 Lagrange's Theorem
    Chapter 69 Lagrange's Theorem Proved [Optional]
    Chapter 70 Groups of Symmetries
    Chapter 71 LINK: Groups in Music and in Chemistry
    Chapter 72 Topics for Papers
    Chapter 73 For Further Reading
    Part 74 Chapter 7: Mathematics of Space and Time: Four-Dimensional Geometry
    Chapter 75 What Is Four-Dimensional Geometry?
    Chapter 76 One-Dimensional Space
    Chapter 77 Two-Dimensional Space
    Chapter 78 Three-Dimensional Space
    Chapter 79 Four-Dimensional Space
    Chapter 80 Cross Sections
    Chapter 81 Cylinders and Cones [Optional]
    Chapter 82 LINK: 4-Space in Fiction and in Art
    Chapter 83 Topics for Papers
    Chapter 84 For Further Reading
    Part 85 Chapter 8: Mathematics of Connection : Graph Theory
    Chapter 86 What Is Graph Theory?
    Chapter 87 Some Basic Terms
    Chapter 88 Edge Paths
    Chapter 89 Vertex Paths
    Chapter 90 Crossing Curves
    Chapter 91 Euler's Formula
    Chapter 92 Looking Back
    Chapter 93 LINK: Diagraphs and Project Management
    Chapter 94 Topics for Papers
    Chapter 95 For Further Reading
    Part 96 Chapter 9: Mathematics of Machines: Computer Algorithms
    Chapter 97 What Is a Computer?
    Chapter 98 The Traveling Salesman Problem
    Chapter 99 The Speed of a Computer
    Chapter 100 Algorithms and Sorting
    Chapter 101 Comparing Algorithms
    Chapter 102 Complexity Analysis
    Chapter 103 NP-Completeness
    Chapter 104 Implications of NP-Completeness
    Chapter 105 LINK: Algorithms, Abstraction, and Strategic Planning
    Chapter 106 Topics for Papers
    Chapter 107 For Further Reading
    Part 108 APPENDICES
    Part 109 Appendix A: Basic Logic
    Chapter 110 Statements and Their Negations
    Chapter 111 Conjunctions and Disjunctions
    Chapter 112 Conditionals and Deduction
    Chapter 113 Topics for Papers
    Chapter 114 For Further Reading
    Part 115 Appendix B: A Brief History of Mathematics
    Chapter 116 Preliminary Thoughts
    Chapter 117 From the Beginning to 600 B.C.
    Chapter 118 600 B.C. to A.D. 400
    Chapter 119 400 to 1400
    Chapter 123 The Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries
    Chapter 124 The Seventeenth Century
    Chapter 125 The Eighteenth Century
    Chapter 126 The Nineteenth Century
    Chapter 127 The Twentieth Century
    Chapter 128 Topics for Papers
    Chapter 129 For Further Reading
    Part 130 Appendix C: Literacy in the Language of Mathematics
Features
Features
  • —Accessible and Intriguing: Provides liberal arts students with a broad appreciation of mathematics by exploring ways in which the artistic, aesthetic, intellectual, and humanistic aspects of mathematics are as important asits utility.

    —Consistent Pedagogy: Each content chapter starts "from scratch" and proceeds to develop a significant mathematical idea, illustrating what mathematicians do in that area.

    —Flexible Organization: the eight content chapters (chapters 2-9) may be covered in any combination and order. Some chapters have several natural stopping places to allow for introductory coverage as well as for in-depth exploration of the topic.

    —Connects the Disciplines:A Mathematics Sampler provides brief, informal, and open-ended LINK sections at the end of each topic, connecting specific mathematical ideas with many other subject areas. The connections examined include art, fiction, music, philosophy, politics, psychology, social planning, and many more.

    —Unique Writing Exercises: Spread throughout the book, these opportunities for writing reinforce mathematical content, and they provide suggestions for term papers.

    —An Instructor's Manual written by William Berlinghoff is avail

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