THE JOY OF MATHEMATICS &
MORE JOY OF MATHEMATICS
by Theoni Pappas
Part of the joy of mathematics is that it is everywhere-in soap bubbles, electricity, da Vinci's masterpieces, even in an ocean wave. Written by the well-known mathematics teacher consultant, this two volume collection of over 500 clearly illustrated mathematical ideas, concepts, puzzles, and games shows where they turn up in the "real" world. You'll find out what a googol is, visit hotel infinity, read a thorny logic problem that was stumping them back in the 8th century.
"Pappas demystifies mathematics in a collection of miniature essays called The Joy of Mathematics." -The New York Times
"Approach goes far beyond the usual mechanical presentation, linking math to vital, everyday life and adding cultural and historical influences to connect math concepts to realistic challengesfun rather than tedious." -The Bookwatch
"The Joy of Mathematics presents the world of mathematics to readers in a fresh, original way. For any reader, mathematician or noteasily readable by allreadily usable for enrichment I highly recommend it." The Mathematics Teacher
" designed to help the reader become aware of the inseparable relationship of mathematics and the world by presenting glimpses and images of mathematics in the many facets of our lives." -Science News
"Rarely does one come across books on mathematics with such breadth, beauty, and insight. Pappas' books always contain fascinating and valuable information-not only for the curious students and laypeople-but also for the seasoned researcher." -Clifford Pickover, author of Computers & The Imagination"THE JOY OF MATHEMATICS & MORE JOY OF MATHEMATICS add up to the most fun you've had in a long time." -Book-of-the-Month Club
The
two books are cross-indexed.
$10.95 each
THE
JOY OF MATHEMATICS ia a BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB™ Pick-of-the-Paperbacks.
THE
JOY OF MATHEMATICS & MORE JOY OF MATHEMATICS are QUALITY PAPERBACKS
BOOK CLUB BOOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB™ selections.
- TABLE of CONTENTS
- The irrational number cover-up
Ada Byron Lovelace's addiction
Exposing L'Hospital's claim to fame
Whose solids are they anyway?
The paranoia of Kurt Gödel
Newton's apple never was
Mathematical "Brooklyn Bridge"
Christians murder Hypatia
Cantor driven to nervous breakdown
The mathematician who pleaded insanity
The scandalous treatment of Alan Turing
Fourier cooks his own goose
The secret work of Carl Gauss
Female mathematician crashes the old boys' club- Newton was no sweet cookie
Where's the Nobel Prize in mathematics?
Was Galois jinxed?
I sleep therefore I think
The feud over who invented calculus
The truth about Einstein & Maric-It's all relative
Cardano vs Tartaglia-Who was maligned? - The irrational number cover-up
THE MATHEMATICAL SCANDALS
by Theoni Pappas
In this highly readable volume of vignettes, coupled with factual
background, Pappas has assembled fascinating stories of intrigue
and the bizarre - in short, the human background of the history
of mathematics.
MATHEMATICAL SCANDALS delves behind the scenes and reveals real
people, whose rivalries, deceptions, and idiosyncrasies are at
odds with the mathematician's reputation for clear thinking and
scientific detachment.
"If you have a kid over, say 16 years who thinks math is boring, this book is the cure." Jaron Lanier, Discover Magazine
"These scandals are not salacious tabloids; rather, they concern incidents and controversies involving personalities from the history of mathematics.The stories are informative, and the writing style is appealing." -The Mathematics Teacher
"Pappas' passion for math has produced many previous winning titles: this presents a new vision for exploring math Even reluctant math users will find the blend of intrigue and social history involving." -The Bookwatch
"MATHEMATICS SCANDALS gives Pappas' devoted fans another dose of the inventiveness and flair they have come to expect from her work." -Publisher's Group West
"Many associate mathematics with cold logic. To dispel the stereotype, the author examines the human sides and foibles of renowned mathematicians." -Douglas Borton, The Actuarial Digest
· $10.95 ·160 pages ·5.5"x8.5"
·paperback · index ·illustrations
· ISBN: 1-884550-10-X
THE MUSIC OF REASON
Experience
the Beauty of Mathematics Through Quotations
by Theoni Pappas
Learn what Alice in Wonderland, Albert Einstein, William Shakespeare, Mae West, Plato and others have to say about mathematics.
THE MUSIC OF REASON is a compendium of profound and profane thoughts
on mathematics by mathematicians, scientists, authors and artists.
This collection of quotes - a mixed bag of the humorous and the
philosophical -is a thought-provoking sampler on mathematics,
dealing with mathematics and the imaginations, the arts, history,
nature, numbers, sciences, computers and much more. Students,
teachers and others will all enjoy this collection of thoughtful
and humorous quotes.
" divided into fifteen categories each category preceded by a short commentary by the author. integrating mathematics to with such subjects as science, history, English, art, and music, the quotations from this book can act as a springboard for some lively discussions linking mathematics to other subjects and the real world will complement the collections of mathematicians and mathematics educators alike." The Mathematics Teacher
$9.95
5"x7" illustrated throughout
128 pp·ISBN:1-884550-04-5
THE MAGIC OF MATHEMATICS
by Theoni Pappas
Delves into the world of ideas, explores the spell mathematics casts on our lives, and helps you discover mathematics where you least expect it. Be spellbound by the mathematical designs found in nature. Learn how knots may untie the mysteries of life. Be mesmerized by the computer revolution. Discover how the hidden forces of mathematics -hold architectural structures together -connect your telephone calls -help airplanes get off the ground - solve the mysteries of the living cell. See how some artists use a mathematical palette in their works and how many writers draw upon the wealth of its ideas. Experience all this in The Magic of Mathematics.
- "Thought-provoking
yet not overwhelming, this book makes the author's pleasure in
mathematics evident. "
Library Journal
- "witty and intriguing" Science News
- "Readers will relish this book. The focus is to explain math in a lively, revealing manner. It succeeds!" The Bookwatch
- "Pappas writes at a level that puts all her topics within reach of any mathematics teacher and usually within reach of a generalist as well. In spite of this, she does not skim over facts or misrepresent them. If you haven't bought Pappas' first two books, then get them. If you have them, buy this one as well." The Mathematics Teacher
Like Pappas' The Joy of Mathematics, the illustrations, graphics and photographs in The Magic of Mathematics make the book a visual as well as an intellectual experience.
QUALITY
PAPERBACK BOOK CLUB BOOK-OF-T HE -MONTH CLUB™ -selection
$12.95 ·8.5"x5.5"
· photos & illustrations throughout
· 324 pages
The 2008
Monthly Topics in 2008 calendar include:
MIGRATION & MATHEMATICS
DATA, DATA EVERYWHEREdata mining stickes it rich
MATHEMATICAL IDEAS hidden within the art of Ruth Asawa
THE VOYNICH MANUSCRIPT
MATHEMATICAL SNIPPETSexploring math in small bites
WHAT A LINE! a mathematical parable
RING UP MATHEMATICSanother way to connect math & music
THE ELUSIVE REGULAR 17-GONthe problem that determined Gauss' career
PUZZLING PUZZLE to rack your mind
THE GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM & THE SIERPINSKI TRIANGLE
QUILTS THAT COVER MATHEMATICAL IDEAS
A MATHEMATICAL CROSSWORD PUZZLE
THE MATHEMATICS CALENDAR 2008
by Theoni Pappas
Now in its 29th year, with its exciting topics, graphics and mind-boggling problems, this calendar continues to be a hit with teachers, students, engineers, math buffs and puzzle lovers. It's more than a calendar each month features an intriguing math topic and each day a tantalizing problem it's a treasure trove of information, games, puzzles and stories, illustrating how mathematics influences, touches, and impacts our lives. It is uniquely designed so that each day of every month has a problem whose solution is the date. The brain twister lies in figuring how to arrive at the answer. For each month the problems range from arithmetic to calculus.
THE MATHEMATICS CALENDAR
has given thousands of people a new perspective about math
how it can be fun, fascinating & intriguing. It's nowonder its popularity continues to grow.
The 12
monthly topics feature exciting topics which remind us again and again how mathematics
describes nature, impacts the sciences, is essential to architecture,
is inseparable from music, influences the arts, exercises and
tantalizes the mind with its puzzles and problems, stimulates
and creates new technologies, and reveals the multi-dimensions
of our world and universe through its ever evolving ideas and
insights.
"A wall calendar that should be off the wallit's like have a math magazine with twelve solidly researched articles. You and your students will really have to take some time to get everything out of this publiscation. If you hang this up, expect students to be standing in front of it for a long time" The Mathematics Teacher
" Yes, it's back! More handsome than ever and packed with confounding conundrums. Each and every day of the year you will be presented with a new mathematical problem. Are you equal to the challenge? This calendar has reached cult status and sales always exceed our most fantastic projections" MIT Museum Store
"...continues to astonish...among the best calendars I've seen...a positive brain-wrecker." San Francisco Chronicle
".Very functional,hone up your skills day by day. No rest for the weary with this clever calendar that will most definitely wake you up." - The Book Reader
"...a winner in the Exploratorium Store...unique...thought provoking... entertaining." - The Exploratorium Store
"It's a unique calendar. It sells well and is something that has never been done." - Stanford University Bookstore
"Wonderful! Start your day with a thoroughly bent mind, and perhaps learn a bit of math too. It's become a museum store classic." -Whole Earth Review
"Some of the most unusual items to cross our desk are The Children's Mathematics Calendar & The Mathematics Calendar. Each includes a different problem on each day of the year, along with valuable mathematical information on each month." -Today's Catholic Teacher
"designed to increase understanding and appreciation of math concepts. -The Cincinnati Post
"makes math fun as well as educational" -The Bookwatch
"People interested in the beauty and intrigue of various high school mathematics topics will like The Mathematics Calendar. Pappas's efforts could lead to many meaningful classroom discussions and projects". - The Mathematics Teacher
opens to 11"x17" · $10.95
·ISBN:1-884550-37-1 · color illustrations throughout
The 2009
available July 1, 2008
Monthly Topics in 2009 calendar include:
JANUARY- The Disappearingcolumns of St. Peter's square
FEBRUARY- The mysterious hole in M.C. Escher's PRINT GALLERY
MARCH- Quipu...numbers & words?
APRIL-The mysterious Antikythera mechanisim
MAY- A mathematical oasis: MSRI
JUNE- Whodunit?...Jackson Pollock & fractal controversy
JULY- Digital forensics
AUGUST- When new domains entered the picture story
SEPTEMBER- Puzzlers
OCTOBER- mathematics, physics & art all in one
NOVEMBER- TacTix and a look at the many creations of Piet Hein
DECEMBER- A mathematical crossword puzzle
MATHEMATICS CALENDAR 2009
by Theoni Pappas
30 years after its inception THE MATHEMATICS CALENDAR continues to awe its audience with its cutting edge math topics, its all new exciting graphics, and mind boggling problems. This calendar continues to be a hit with teachers, students, engineers, math buffs and puzzle lovers.
Now more than ever THE MATHEMATICS CALENDAR reminds us again and again how mathematics describes nature, impacts the sciences, is essential to architecture, is inseparable from music, influences the arts, exercises and tantalizes the mind with its puzzles and problems, stimulates and creates new technologies and reveals the multi-dimenstions of our world and universe through its ever evolving ideas and insights.
THE MATHEMATICS CALENDAR
has given thousands of people a new perspective about math
how it can be fun, fascinating & intriguing. It's nowonder its popularity continues to grow.
The 2009
twelve monthly topics are listed on the laft.
It's more than a calendar each month features an intriguing math topic and each day a tantalizing problem it's a treasure trove of information, games, puzzles and stories, illustrating how mathematics influences, touches, and impacts our lives. It is uniquely designed so that each day of every month has a problem whose solution is the date. The brain twister lies in figuring how to arrive at the answer. For each month the problems range from arithmetic to calculus.
"A wall calendar that should be off the wallit's like have a math magazine with twelve solidly researched articles. You and your students will really have to take some time to get everything out of this publiscation. If you hang this up, expect students to be standing in front of it for a long time" The Mathematics Teacher
"Yes, it's back! More handsome than ever and packed with confounding conundrums. Each and every day of the year you will be presented with a new mathematical problem. Are you equal to the challenge? This calendar has reached cult status and sales always exceed our most fantastic projections" MIT Museum Store
"...continues to astonish...among the best calendars I've seen...a positive brain-wrecker." San Francisco Chronicle
".Very functional,hone up your skills day by day. No rest for the weary with this clever calendar that will most definitely wake you up." - The Book Reader
"...a winner in the Exploratorium Store...unique...thought provoking... entertaining." - The Exploratorium Store
"It's a unique calendar. It sells well and is something that has never been done." - Stanford University Bookstore
"Wonderful! Start your day with a thoroughly bent mind, and perhaps learn a bit of math too. It's become a museum store classic." -Whole Earth Review
"Some of the most unusual items to cross our desk are The Children's Mathematics Calendar & The Mathematics Calendar. Each includes a different problem on each day of the year, along with valuable mathematical information on each month." -Today's Catholic Teacher
"designed to increase understanding and appreciation of math concepts. -The Cincinnati Post
"makes math fun as well as educational" -The Bookwatch
"People interested in the beauty and intrigue of various high school mathematics topics will like The Mathematics Calendar. Pappas's efforts could lead to many meaningful classroom discussions and projects". - The Mathematics Teacher
opens to 11"x17" · $10.95
·ISBN:1-884550-38-6 ·color photos and graphics throughout
MATHEMATICS APPRECIATION
An
Exploration into the Nature of Mathematics
by Theoni Pappas
Delves into the fascinating interrelation of mathematics and other subject areas, the evolution of mathematical thought, the beauty of mathematics- its complexity and its simplicity.
- an excellent teacher's reference
an invaluable teaching tool
- "...introduces students to some of the special and different areas in which mathematics appears and has influence."Curriculum Product Review
10 lessons for math enrichment with
TOPICS INCLUDE
· topology · non-Euclidean geometries ·
optical illusions · magic squares · the cycloid
& paradoxes · flexagons · the mathematics of
paperfolding · the golden rectangle· Fibonacci
sequence
· $10.95 · illustrations & photos
· 8.5"x11" · 154pp.
FRACTALS, GOOGOLS & OTHER MATHEMATICAL TALES
by Theoni Pappas.
- A treasure trove of stories
that make mathematical ideas come to life. Explores math concepts
and topics such as real numbers, exponents, dimensions, the golden
rectangle in both serious and humorous ways. Penrose the cat,
the parable of p, the number line that fell apart, Leonhard the
magic turtle and many others offer an amusing and entertaining
way to explore and share mathematical ideas regardless of age
or background.
· A TOP TEN AWARD ·
for Best Children's Book
by The Educational Source
"For those you love math, for those indifferent to it, and for those who absolutely dread and fear it, this latest volume by the author of The Joy of Mathematics is an entertaining way to explore the world of numbers regardless of age or background." Bookpaper
·
$10.95 ·10"x8"
· illustrations throughout
· 64 pp
WOMEN & NUMBERS
by Teri Perl, the author of
the highly acclaimed Math Equals.
WOMEN & NUMBERS is a multicultural book of biographies of
women mathematicians of the 19th & 20th centuries with emphasis
on childhood interests, adventures, and how they got involved
in their work. Includes stimulating math activities, photos &
illustrations. Grades 6-12.
"lively, revealing, and educational." -Bookwatch
".a must for the reference library of every teacher in grades 4 through high school who is looking for innovative ways to motivate " - The Mathematics Teacher
"a must read!activities are engaging and mathematically meaningful." -Lyn Taylor, PhD. Past President, Women & Mathematics Education (WME)
"attractively produced, well-illustrated, and challenging should help many young women to feel that they can do it in mathematics." -Claudia Zaslavsky, author & educator
$15.95
· 8.5"x10" · illustrations & photos
throughout · 224pp
Currently, only the Slide Show Booklet is available.
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
An
Optical Illusion Slide Show
by Theoni Pappas
- · 40 high quality 35-mm slides
- · related text
- · commentary · problem set
- ·for math & science enrichment
"text brilliantly explains how each illusion deceives." Cuisenaire
"...almost every line-drawn optical illusion one can think of plus excellent photos from the real world. You will like these slides. Students can learn and enjoy." The Mathematics TeacherTable of Contents
note to reader glossary introduction slide show & commentary problem exercises problem solutions appendix brief historical note
- The commentary for the slide show may be read verbatim or the information can easily be adapted to individual needs. In conjunction with many slides, questions are posed for viewers. The answers to these questions are written in the booklet in parentheses next to the question.
- The exercise problems can be easily reproduced and the solutions are included.
·$29.95 - ISBN:0-933174-78-0
32 page illustrated booklet with a set of 40 slide
$8.95 32 page illustrated booklet without a set of 40 slide
Pappas has come up with yet another way to make math part of your life. Not a calendar, not a reference book, but a compendium of mathematical information that will give you your math fix everyday.
Each day -
- kick starts your brain with a problem or puzzle (detailed solutions are included)
- has a mathematical quote to inspire the other sied of your brain
- features a historical or current math note
- has its date expressed in another number system
Start off your day with it. · Take it to meetings. · Share it with friends.
ISBN:
1-884550-20-7 · $12.95
· 5.5"x8.5" · 256 pages · illustrated
MATHEMATICAL FOOTPRINTS
by Theoni Pappas
MATHEMATICAL FOOTPRINTS is another gem by the creator of THE MATHEMATICS CALENDAR and author of THE JOY OF MATHEMATICS.
"Pappas's books have been gold mines of mathematical entertainment...spreading inspirational and mathematical good cheer. "Jon Scieszka, author of Math Curse
MATHEMATICAL FOOTPRINTS takes a creative look at the role mathematics has played since prehistoric times, and will play in the future, and uncovers mathematics where you least expect to find it from its many uses in medicine, the sciences, and its appearance in art to its patterns in nature and its central role in the development of computers. Pappas presents mathematical ideas in a readable non-threatening manner.
·
$10.95 ISBN: 1-884550-21`-5
·240 pages · 5.5"x8.5" · photos
& illustrations throughout
In response to requests from disappointed fans, we continue to carry the 2003 calendar until a new edition comes out.
THE CHILDREN'S MATHEMATICS CALENDAR
2003
by Theoni Pappas
This was 19 th year of CHILDREN'S MATHEMATICS CALENDAR. This calendar makes math fun as well as educational. Math comes alive through the characters, ideas, stories, and challenges presented every day of every month in this one-of-a-kind calendar. Through intriguing topics like Penrose & pi cross paths, Tricky numbers, Penrose discovers the rods, The mathematics actor X, The day a line became a tangent the calendar invites children to explore mathematics, to tackle a new problem each day, and motivates them to learn how to arrive at the solution. Designed to stimulate any child's curiosity - regardless of their current interest or aptitude in mathematics - this calendar also presents an opportunity for young people to work with others in solving problems. The problems on each month range from 3rd to 8th grades.
With its problems, topics and graphics, the 2003 edition is an excellent gift or resource for teachers, students, parents, tutors, and math buffs. Wherever it is seen, it's a conversation item because it is more than a calendar. Its popularity and success have not ebbed over the past nineteen years, but on the contrary have continued to grow. It stimulates curiosity and imagination, and helps children develop a positive attitude towards math. It is uniquely designed, so that so that the math problem on each day has as its solution that date. The answer is only one small part in the process of solving a problem. The challenge is discovering how to arrive at the solution, and possibly discovering more than one method of solving the problem. Some problems have general information in addition to the mathematical information.
Theoni Pappas is committed
to demystifying mathematics. The CHILDREN'S MATHEMATICS CALENDAR
has given thousands of children and parents a new perspective
about math - it can be fun and fascinating.
"Some kids need help loving math an some just eat it up like ice cream. Here's a calendar that feeds them both." Chinaberry Book Service
"...attractively produced, represents an original idea...attracts attention, and interest of students....motivates sound educational activities." - The Arithmetic Teacher
"seeks to make math fun as well as educational." The Bookwatch
".clever, unique, helps children develop skills and learn new concepts, stimulates curiosity and presents challenges." - Gifted Children's Monthly
"A big hit with young people and others as well." The Exploratorium Store
"Some of the most unusual items to cross our desk are The Children's Mathematics Calendar and The Mathematics Calendar. Each includes a different problem for every day of the year, along with valuable mathematical information." - Today's Catholic Teacher
opens to 11"x17" · $10.95
·ISBN:1-884550-29-0
Other
People Too!
by Theoni Pappas
"Pick a page, any page, and let the fun begin! Theoni
Pappas's choice of stories, puzzles, and games is delightful,
challenging, and timeless." -Jackie Faillace Getgood,
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, NCTM magazine
A book that brings mathematics to life in stories, puzzles and
challenges.
Here we find -
how the fractions were squeezed between the whole numbers
- witness the rise and fall of the Roman numerals
- do mental gymnastics with intriguing puzzles
- challenge a friend to a special game
- help factorials cut things down to size
- discover what's a zillion
- learn the magic of binary cards
- and much much more
- Helps kids
find out that mathematics is more than just computation. -
- Lets them discover the world of mathematics.-
$10.95 · 8'x10"
· illustrations throughout
· 128 pp ISBN: 1-884550-13-4
Available July, 2004
THE ADVENTURES OF PENROSE
the
mathematical cat
&
THE
FURTHER ADVENTURES OF PENROSE
the
mathematical cat
by Theoni Pappas
Penrose, no ordinary cat, takes kids on adventurous tours of mathematical concepts and characters with his books.
Join Penrose as he continues
on his mad cap tour of mathematical ideas.
- Venture with him when he discovers how to help the square root of 2
- Meet the fractal dragon
- Watch a tangram egg hatch
- learn how to make a square become a bird
- help nanocat get back home
- and MANY more amusing, entertaining and informative tales
while in THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF PENROSE
- discover the mathematical rep-tiles
- meet x, the mathematical actor
- meet Probably
- discover how 1+1 does not always =2.
- help Sorry Snowflake find its symmetry
- take on Napier's hot rods
- and MANY more amusing, entertaining and informative tales
All told in an enchanting and captivating style that is sure
to make mathematics fun as well as educational. The reader will
gain new insights and appreciation for mathematics and its many
facets.
"Students will find the stories interesting and will
be challenged by the suggested activities and questions. useful
as motivational stories and extensions of their lesson. This
book will help teachers develop a better understanding of skills
and concepts and to motivate students to really like mathematics."
Shirley Roberts, Teaching Children Mathematics
THE ADVENTURES OF PENROSE $10.95 · 8'x10"· illustrations throughout
· 114 pages ISBN: 1-884550-14-2
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF PENROSE $10.95 · 8'x10"· illustrations throughout
· 128 pages ISBN: 1-884550-32-0
Example
PROPER FRACTIONS
(To be read aloud by two people.
Please note that lines on the same horizontal are meant to be
read simultaneously.)
We are proper- fractions.
- Ever so correct. Never out of line.
Never larger on the top- than on the bottom.
- Never hanging
around with whole numbers.- Our numerators
and denominators
are simply whole are simple natural
numbers. numbers.- Numerators always Denominators always
smaller than larger than
denominators. numerators.- We are proper We are proper
fractions
that is.- fractions.
Creative juices were certainly at work when this book of mathematical dialogues was created by Theoni Pappas. It presents a new way to enjoy and learn mathematical ideas via poetic dialogues read by two people. A new twist to mathematical themes.
"MATH TALK in its novel approach would make an interesting addition to the mathematics library for any age group." -The Mathematics Teacher
"Continuing on her crusade to demystify mathematics, Pappas delivers a new way to enjoy and learn some sublimely abstract notions" -The Bookpaper"One of our favorites is an unusual little paperback called MATH TALK" -Home Education Magazine
24 delightful and informative poetic dialogues for exploring
math ideas.
- TOPICS INCLUDE-
· Mathematics · Circles · Proper fractions · Fractals
· Fibonacci numbers · One · Operations · Imaginary numbers
· Moebius strip · Zero · Squares · Operations
· Variables · Radicals · Triangles · · Primes · Dimensions
· Golden Mean · e, & i (for three voices)
· Integers · Tessellations · Even numbers· Googols · We are numbers.
$8.95 ·8.5"x5.5"·72 pp
ISBN:0-933174-74-8
