Knots and Surfaces: A Guide to Discovering Mathematics (Mathematical World)

In most mathematics textbooks, the most exciting part of mathematics--the process of invention and discovery--is completely hidden from the reader. The aim of Knots and Surfaces is to change all that. By means of a series of carefully selected tasks, this book leads readers to discover some real mathematics. There are no formulas to memorize; no procedures to follow. The book is a guide: its job is to start you in the right direction and to bring you back if you stray too far. Discovery is left to you. <P>Suitable for a one-semester course at the beginning undergraduate level, there are no prerequisites for understanding the text. Any college student interested in discovering the beauty of mathematics will enjoy a course taught from this book. The book has also been used successfully with nonscience students who want to fulfill a science requirement.

"The book is perfectly suited to a course for non-science majors in need of fulfilling a math requirement. All the sections have worked well at sparking student interest and convincing them that math is much more interesting than mere number-crunching and graphing." ---- Professor William Bloch, Wheaton College

"Would serve well as the basis of an independent study course in which the student would work through the tasks in a journal subject to periodic review by the instructor ... the writing is clear and engaging, and the tasks should be effective at setting a reasonable pace." ---- American Mathematical Monthly