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

This book will appeal to at least three groups of readers: prospective high school teachers, liberal arts students, and parents whose children are studying high school or college math. It is modern in its selection of topics, and in the learning models used by the authors. The book covers some exciting but non-traditional topics from the subject area of geometry. It is also intended for undergraduates and tries to engage their interest in mathematics. Many innovative pedagogical modes are used throughout.

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.