The True Beauty Of Math: Volume 1, The Foundations

In this completely accessible yet not at all watered down work, Michael Enciso exposes his readers to a world of mathematics that they likely never knew existed. In this world, two plus two is not always four, some infinities are larger than others, and seemingly obvious truths lead to deep logical paradoxes. One finds that math is not about memorization; it is about thought. One finds that math is not about calculation, it is about ideas. Mathematics is one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented of all intellectual endeavors. Many dismiss the subject as a collection of confusing rules to be memorized and applied in settings that seem completely artificial. This perspective, which is the natural byproduct of the standard middle school and high school math curricula, completely obscures the fact that mathematics is a creative, artistic, and most importantly human activity. The reader is introduced to pure, abstract mathematics not via analogy or metaphor, but rather by direct exposure to the ideas themselves. Additionally, there is no need to know, or even enjoy the mathematics that was learned in school in order to dive into this new mathematical universe. All that is asked for is a certain amount of curiosity, a willingness to let go of all preconceived notions of mathematics, and an openness to the possibility that anyone can indeed appreciate the true beauty of math.