Mathematical Experience

Winner of the 1984 American Book Award! "Two distinguished mathematicians...have written a perfectly marvelous book about the Queen of Sciences, from which one will get a real feeling for what mathematicians do and who they are. The exposition is clear and full of wit and humor..." - The New Yorker (1984 American Book Award Edition) Mathematics has been a human activity for thousands of years. Yet only a few people from the vast population of users are professional mathematicians, who create, teach, foster, and apply it in a variety of situations. The authors of this book believe that it should be possible for these professional mathematicians to explain to non-professionals what they do, what they say they are doing, and why the world should support them at it. They also believe that mathematics should be taught to non-mathematics majors in such a way as to instill an appreciation of the power and beauty of mathematics. Many people from around the world have told the authors that they have done precisely that with the first edition and they have encouraged publication of this revised edition complete with exercises for helping students to demonstrate their understanding. This edition of the book should find a new generation of general readers and students who would like to know what mathematics is all about. It will prove invaluable as a course text for a general mathematics appreciation course, one in which the student can combine an appreciation for the esthetics with some satisfying and revealing applications. Condensed Table of Contents: Preface * Preface to the Study Edition * Acknowledgements * Introduction * Overture * Chapter 1. The Mathematical Landscape * Chapter 2. Varieties of Mathematical Experience * Chapter 3. Outer Issues * Chapter 4. Inner Issues * Chapter 5. Selected Topics in Mathematics * Chapter 6. Teaching and Learning * Chapter 7. From Certainty to Fallibility * Chapter 8. Mathematical Reality * Glossary * Bibliography * Index The Companion Guide to the Mathematical Experience 120 pp. * Softcover * $14.95 * ISBN 0-8176-3849-0Davis, Phillip J. is the author of 'Mathematical Experience', published 1995 under ISBN 9780817637392 and ISBN 0817637397.