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Loading... Letters to a Young Mathematician (original 2006; edition 2006)by Ian Stewart
Work InformationLetters to a Young Mathematician by Ian Stewart (Author) (2006)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Short. Informative. The format of quick letters to a student limits the depth and type of information imparted. Since it is meant as information to a general reader, you can't expect too much truly helpful advice. Since it is trying to explain what higher level math is and mathematicians do to a wide audience it ends up being a little too vague. Worth the quick read though. I was initially wary of the epistolary form of this non-fiction book by the great and incredibly accessible mathematician Ian Stewart. But I am so very glad that I stuck with it . . . it will inform how I look at the process of learning (and teaching)math to Z, who already sees the world in terms of pattern and symmetry. Reading this volume made me realize his gifts and passion in the area of math and put me on notice that I need to make sure to honor them and help them to flourish. Plus, I now know way more about Poincare than before. Will be buying a copy of this for Z as he ages. This is fairly well written series of letters written to a young girl thinking of a career in mathematics. Over the course of the book, the letters address the satisfactions of mathematics, and the occasional frustrations of those who pursue a career in this field. I breezed through the book, but there were occasional nuggets of insight here and there. It is intended as bringing Godfrey Hardy's book, "A Mathematician's Apology" up to date. no reviews | add a review
Mathematician Ian Stewart tells readers what he wishes he had known when he was a student. He takes up subjects ranging from the philosophical to the practical-what mathematics is and why it's worth doing, the relationship between logic and proof, the role of beauty in mathematical thinking, the future of mathematics, how to deal with the peculiarities of the mathematical community, and many others. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)510Natural sciences and mathematics Mathematics General MathematicsLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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“We were all shoving each other around – but it saved my mathematical bacon.”
This is a great example of how nonfiction can be exciting and catchy. I wanted to read more about his experiences. I wanted to keep turning the page. Stewart writes not only of his own experience with mathematics in today’s world, but also of historical mathematicians like Godfrey Hardy and Thomas Midgley, Jr. The book comes with a section of notes and references in the back as well as a blurb about the author. The content was attractive, the style was easy, and the organization was chronological. This will be a great addition to a mathematics library overflowing with exercise and puzzle books. ( )