Symmetry, Shape, and Space: An Introduction to Mathematics Through Geometry - Hardcover

Kinsey, L. Christine; Moore, Teresa E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0470412380 ISBN 13: 9780470412381

Publisher: Wiley, 2008

Synopsis

Symmetry, Shape, and Space uses the visual nature of geometry to involve students in discovering mathematics.  The text allows students 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 students into an investigative process and provide the experience of doing and discovering mathematics as mathematicians do. Exercises requiring students 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 in the liberal arts course of study, and it is designed so that each chapter is independent of the others, allowing great flexibility.

 

About this title

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.

About the Author:

Dr. L Christine Kinsey is in the Mathematics and Statistics department at Canisius University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0470412380
• ISBN 13: 9780470412381
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 494