The Heart of Mathematics
An Invitation to Effective Thinking
by Edward B. Burger, Michael Starbird
4th Edition
Publisher: Wiley
Book Details
| Print ISBN | 9781118156599 |
| eText ISBN | 9781119668282 |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Publishing Year | 2013 |
| Edition | 4th Edition |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 928 |
The Heart of Mathematics: An Invitation to Effective Thinking, 4th Edition, is a textbook designed for college students in non-mathematical and non-science fields. The volume introduces foundational mathematical thinking to help learners discover patterns in the world around them, offering an accessible entry point even for math-phobic students.
Subject coverage focuses on geometric structures, spatial contortions, and the interpretation of data. Discussions encourage students to consider how numerical reasoning, probability, and shapes provide insight into natural and everyday systems.
To support effective reasoning beyond the classroom, dedicated Life Lessons present thinking strategies that students can apply to practical situations in daily life.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: FUN AND GAMES
- • 1.1 Silly Stories, Each with a Moral
- • 1.2 Nudges
- • 1.3 The Punch Lines
- • 1.4 From Play to Power
Chapter 2: NUMBER CONTEMPLATION
- • 2.1 Counting
- • 2.2 Numerical Patterns in Nature
- • 2.3 Prime Cuts of Numbers
- • 2.4 Crazy Clocks and Checking Out Bars
- • 2.5 Public Secret Codes and How to Become a Spy
- • 2.6 The Irrational Side of Numbers
- • 2.7 Get Real
Chapter 3: INFINITY
- • 3.1 Beyond Numbers
- • 3.2 Comparing the Infinite
- • 3.3 The Missing Member
- • 3.4 Travels Toward the Stratosphere of Infinities
- • 3.5 Straightening Up the Circle
Chapter 4: GEOMETRIC GEMS
- • 4.1 Pythagoras and His Hypotenuse
- • 4.2 A View of an Art Gallery
- • 4.3 The Sexiest Rectangle
- • 4.4 Soothing Symmetry and Spinning Pinwheels
- • 4.5 The Platonic Solids Turn Amorous
- • 4.6 The Shape of Reality?
- • 4.7 The Fourth Dimension
Chapter 5: CONTORTIONS OF SPACE
- • 5.1 Rubber Sheet Geometry
- • 5.2 The Band That Wouldn’t Stop Playing
- • 5.3 Knots and Links
- • 5.4 Fixed Points, Hot Loops and Rainy Days
Chapter 6: MODELING OUR WORLD THROUGH GRAPHS
- • 6.1 Circuit Training
- • 6.2 Feeling Edgy?
- • 6.3 Plane Old Graphs
- • 6.4 Networking
Chapter 7: FRACTALS AND CHAOS
- • 7.1 Images
- • 7.2 The Infinitely Detailed Beauty of Fractals
- • 7.3 Between Dimensions
- • 7.4 Mysterious Art of Imaginary Fractals
- • 7.5 They Dynamics of Change
- • 7.6 Predetermined Chaos
Chapter 8: TAMING UNCERTAINTY
- • 8.1 Chance Surprises
- • 8.2 Predicting the Future in an Uncertain World
- • 8.3 Random Thoughts
- • 8.4 Down for the Count
- • 8.5 Drizzling, Defending, and Doctoring
Chapter 9: MEANING FROM DATA
- • 9.1 Stumbling Through a Minefield of Data
- • 9.2 Getting Your Data to Shape Up
- • 9.3 Looking at Super Models Mathematically Described Distributions
- • 9.4 Go Figure
- • 9.5 War, Sports, and Tigers
Chapter 10: DECIDING WISELY
- • 10.1 Great Expectations
- • 10.2 Risk
- • 10.3 Money Matters
- • 10.4 Peril at the Polls
- • 10.5 Cutting Cake for Greedy People
Customer Reviews
0.0
0 reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to review this book!
Write a Review
Reviewed by GradeFocus Editorial Team
