From Calculus to Computers: Using the Last 200 Years of Mathematics History in the Classroom

To date, much of the literature prepared on the topic of integrating mathematics history into undergraduate teaching contains, predominantly, ideas from the 18th century and earlier. This volume focuses on nineteenth- and twentieth-century mathematics, building on the earlier efforts but emphasizing recent history in the teaching of mathematics, computer science, and related disciplines. From Calculus to Computers is a resource for undergraduate teachers that provides ideas and materials for immediate adoption in the classroom and proven examples to motivate innovation by the reader. Contributions to this volume are from historians of mathematics and college mathematics instructors with years of experience and expertise in these subjects. Examples of topics covered are probability in undergraduate statistics courses, logic and programming for computer science, undergraduate geometry to include non-Euclidean geometries, numerical analysis, and abstract algebra.

This volume on the integration of mathematics history into undergraduate teaching provides ideas and materials for immediate adoption in the classroom. Focusing on the developments of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the text emphasizes recent history in the teaching of mathematics, computer science, and related disciplines.