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This series provides supplementary material for students and their teachers' laboratory, exercises, projects, historical information, textbooks with unusual approaches for presenting mathematical ideas, career information, and much more. The books in this series are paperbound.

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17 results in Classroom Resource Materials

Cameos for Calculus
  • Visualization in the First-Year Course
  • Roger B. Nelsen
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 August 2017
    Print publication:
    01 November 2015
  • A thespian or cinematographer might define a cameo as "a brief appearance of a known figure," while a gemologist or lapidary might define it as "a precious or semiprecious stone." This book presents fifty short enhancements or supplements (the Cameos) for the first-year calculus course in which a geometric figure briefly appears. Some of the Cameos illustrate mainstream topics such as the derivative, combinatorial formulas used to compute Riemann sums, or the geometry behind many geometric series. Other Cameos present topics accessible to students at the calculus level but not usually encountered in the course, such as the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, the arithmetic mean-geometric mean inequality, and the Euler-Mascheroni constant.

    There are fifty Cameos in the book, grouped into five sections: Part I Limits and Differentiation; Part II Integration; Part III Infinite Series; Part IV Additional Topics, and Part V Appendix: Some Precalculus Topics. Many of the Cameos include exercises, so Solutions to all the Exercises follows Part V. The book concludes with References and an Index.

    Many of the Cameos are adapted from articles published in journals of the MAA, such as the American Mathematical Monthly, Mathematics Magazine, and the College Mathematics Journal. Some come from other mathematical journals, and some were created for this book. By gathering the Cameos into a book we hope that they will be more accessible to teachers of calculus, both for use in the classroom and as supplementary explorations for students.

Proofs Without Words III
  • Further Exercises in Visual Thinking
  • Roger B. Nelsen
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    19 May 2017
    Print publication:
    01 March 2016
  • Proofs without words (PWWs) are figures or diagrams that help the reader see why a particular mathematical statement is true, and how one might begin to formally prove it true. PWWs are not new; many date back to classical Greece, ancient China, and medieval Europe and the Middle East. PWWs have been regular features of the MAA journals Mathematics Magazine and The College Mathematics Journal for many years, and the MAA published the collections of PWWs Proofs Without Words: Exercises in Visual Thinking in 1993 and Proofs Without Words II: More Exercises in Visual Thinking in 2000. This book is the third such collection of PWWs.

    The proofs in the book are divided by topic into five chapters: Geometry & Algebra; Trigonometry, Calculus & Analytic Geometry; Inequalities; Integers & Integer Sums; and Infinite Series & Other Topics. The proofs in the book are intended primarily for the enjoyment of the reader, however, teachers will want to use them with students at many levels: high school courses from algebra through precalculus and calculus; college level courses in number theory, combinatorics, and discrete mathematics; and pre-service and in-service courses for teachers.

Arithmetical Wonderland
  • Andrew C. F. Liu
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    27 April 2017
    Print publication:
    30 October 2015
  • Arithmetical Wonderland is intended as an unorthodox mathematics textbook for students in elementary education, in a contents course offered by a mathematics department. The scope is deliberately restricted to cover only arithmetic, even though geometric elements are introduced whenever warranted. For example, what the Euclidean Algorithm for finding the greatest common divisors of two numbers has to do with Euclid is showcased.

    Many students find mathematics somewhat daunting. It is the author's belief that much of that is caused not by the subject itself, but by the language of mathematics. In this book, much of the discussion is in dialogues between Alice, of Wonderland fame, and the twins Tweedledum and Tweedledee who hailed from Through the Looking Glass. The boys are learning High Arithmetic or Elementary Number Theory from Alice, and the reader is carried along in this academic exploration. Thus many formal proofs are converted to soothing everyday language.

    Nevertheless, the book has considerable depth. It examines many arcane corners of the subject, and raises rather unorthodox questions. For instance, Alice tells the twins that six divided by three is two only because of an implicit assumption that division is supposed to be fair, whereas fairness does not come into addition, subtraction or multiplication. Some topics often not covered are introduced rather early, such as the concepts of divisibility and congruence.

Game Theory Through Examples
  • Erich Prisner
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 October 2014
    Print publication:
    05 October 2014
  • Game Theory Through Examples is a thorough introduction to elementary game theory, covering finite games with complete information. The core philosophy underlying this volume is that abstract concepts are best learned when encountered first (and repeatedly) in concrete settings. Thus, the essential ideas of game theory are here presented in the context of actual games, real games much more complex and rich than the typical toy examples. All the fundamental ideas are here: Nash equilibria, backward induction, elementary probability, imperfect information, extensive and normal form, mixed and behavioral strategies. The active-learning, example-driven approach makes the text suitable for a course taught through problem solving. Students will be thoroughly engaged by the extensive classroom exercises, compelling homework problems and nearly sixty projects in the text. Also available are approximately eighty Java applets and three dozen Excel spreadsheets in which students can play games and organize information in order to acquire a gut feeling to help in the analysis of the games. Mathematical exploration is a deep form of play, that maxim is embodied in this book. Game Theory Through Examples is a lively introduction to this appealing theory. Assuming only high school prerequisites makes the volume especially suitable for a liberal arts or general education spirit-of-mathematics course. It could also serve as the active-learning supplement to a more abstract text in an upper-division game theory course.

Calculus Mysteries and Thrillers
  • R. Grant Woods
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 September 2014
    Print publication:
    01 July 1998
  • Calculus Mysteries and Thrillers consists of eleven mathematics projects based on introductory single-variable calculus, together with some guidance on how to make use of them. Each project is presented as an amusing short story. In many of them a group of undergraduate mathematics students, formed into a consulting company called Math Iz Us, is hired to solve mathematical problems brought to them by clients. The problems solved include: helping to prosecute an accused pool shark, defending a driver accused of speeding, assisting a hockey coach in making his star forward a more effective goal scorer, and advising a pirate captain on how to divide a gold-plated goose-egg fairly among his crew. In each problem, the problem solvers are required to present to their client a detailed written report of their findings. Thus, students must produce and analyze accurate mathematical models of complex, verbally presented real life situations, and write a clear technical account of their solution. Instructors who are looking for problems that are novel, interesting, and several levels more complex than the typical text book word problem will find them in this book. It will be of particular value to instructors who wish to combine training in applications of calculus with training in technical writing. The complexity of the problems makes them suitable for use as group projects. The calculus concepts on which the problems are based include: tangent and normal lines, optimization by use of critical points, inverse trig functions, volumes of solids, surface area integrals, and modeling economic concepts using definite integrals. Although a few ideas from physics and economics are used in the problems, no prior knowledge of these fields is required.

101 Careers in Mathematics
  • 3rd edition
  • Edited by Andrew Sterrett
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 September 2014
    Print publication:
    01 April 2014
  • This third edition of the immensely popular 101 Careers in Mathematics contains updates on the career paths of individuals profiled in the first and second editions, along with many new profiles. No career counselor should be without this valuable resource. The authors of the essays in this volume describe a wide variety of careers for which a background in the mathematical sciences is useful. Each of the jobs presented shows real people in real jobs. Their individual histories demonstrate how the study of mathematics was useful in landing good-paying jobs in predictable places such as IBM, AT&T, and American Airlines, and in surprising places such as FedEx Corporation, L.L. Bean, and Purdue Farms, Inc. You will also learn about job opportunities in the Federal Government as well as exciting careers in the arts, sculpture, music, and television. There are really no limits to what you can do if you are well prepared in mathematics. The degrees earned by the authors profiled here range from bachelors to masters to PhD in approximately equal numbers. Most of the writers use the mathematical sciences on a daily basis in their work. Others rely on the general problem-solving skills acquired in mathematics as they deal with complex issues.

Writing Projects for Mathematics Courses
  • Crushed Clowns, Cars, and Coffee to Go
  • Annalisa Crannell, Gavin LaRose, Thomas Ratliff, Elyn Rykken
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 September 2014
    Print publication:
    01 July 2004
  • Writing Projects for Mathematics Courses is a collection of writing projects suitable in a wide range of undergraduate mathematics courses, from a survey of mathematics to differential equations. The projects vary in their level of difficulty and in the mathematics that they require, but are similar in the mode of presentation and use of applications. Students see these problems as real in a way that textbooks problems are not, even though many of the characters involved (e.g., dime-store detectives and CEOs) are obviously fictional. The stories are sometimes fanciful and sometimes grounded in standard scientific applications, but the mere existence of the story draws the students in and makes the problem relevant. The book is the combined effort of four instructors who have used writing projects in their own courses. They provide an easy-to-use, widely applicable set of course materials that instructors can adopt and adapt to their own courses. An extensive set of class-tested projects is included along with: implementation notes which highlight student difficulties, information about project solutions, and advice for grading writing projects.

Paradoxes and Sophisms in Calculus
  • Sergiy Klymchuk, Susan Staples
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 August 2013
    Print publication:
    15 May 2013
  • Paradoxes and Sophisms in Calculus offers a delightful supplementary resource to enhance the study of single variable calculus. By the word paradox the authors mean a surprising, unexpected, counter-intuitive statement that looks invalid, but in fact is true. The word sophism describes intentionally invalid reasoning that looks formally correct, but contains a subtle mistake or flaw. In other words, a sophism is a false proof of an incorrect statement. A collection of over fifty paradoxes and sophisms showcases the subtleties of this subject and leads students to contemplate the underlying concepts. A number of the examples treat historically significant issues that arose in the development of calculus, while others more naturally challenge readers to understand common misconceptions. Sophisms and paradoxes from the areas of functions, limits, derivatives, integrals, sequences, and series are explored. Solutions for each paradox and explanations of the fallacious reasoning in each sophism are provided in later sections. This book serves as a complementary companion to the first author’s previous book Counterexamples in Calculus (MAA), recipient of the 2010 Outstanding Academic Title Award from Choice Magazine of the American Library Association.

Exploring Advanced Euclidean Geometry with GeoGebra
  • Gerard A. Venema
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 August 2013
    Print publication:
    15 May 2013
  • Exploring Advanced Euclidean Geometry with GeoGebra provides an inquiry-based introduction to advanced Euclidean geometry. It utilizes dynamic geometry software, specifically GeoGebra, to explore the statements and proofs of many of the most interesting theorems in the subject. Topics covered include triangle centers, inscribed, circumscribed, and escribed circles, medial and orthic triangles, the nine-point circle, duality, and the theorems of Ceva and Menelaus, as well as numerous applications of those theorems. The final chapter explores constructions in the Poincaré disk model for hyperbolic geometry. The book can be used either as a computer laboratory manual to supplement an undergraduate course in geometry or as a standalone introduction to advanced topics in Euclidean geometry.

Beyond the Quadratic
  • Ron Irving
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 July 2013
    Print publication:
    15 June 2013
  • The quadratic formula for the solution of quadratic equations was discovered independently by scholars in many ancient cultures and is familiar to everyone. Less well known are formulas for solutions of cubic and quartic equations whose discovery was the high point of 16th century mathematics. Their study forms the heart of this book, as part of the broader theme that a polynomial’s coefficients can be used to obtain detailed information on its roots. A closing chapter offers glimpses into the theory of higher-degree polynomials, concluding with a proof of the fundamental theorem of algebra. The book also includes historical sections designed to reveal key discoveries in the study of polynomial equations as milestones in intellectual history across cultures. Beyond the Quadratic Formula is designed for self-study, with many results presented as exercises and some supplemented by outlines for solution. The intended audience includes in-service and prospective secondary mathematics teachers, high school students eager to go beyond the standard curriculum, undergraduates who desire an in-depth look at a topic they may have unwittingly skipped over, and the mathematically curious who wish to do some work to unlock the mysteries of this beautiful subject.

Mathematics Galore!
  • The First Five Years of the St. Mark's Institute of Mathematics
  • James Tanton
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 January 2013
    Print publication:
    15 August 2012
  • Mathematics Galore! Showcases some of the best activities and student outcomes of the St. Mark's Institute of Mathematics and invites you to engage the mathematics yourself! Revel in the delight of deep intellectual play and marvel at the heights to which young scholars can rise. See some great mathematics explained and proved via natural and accessible means. Based on 26 essays ("newsletters") and eight additional pieces, Mathematics Galore! offers a large sample of mathematical tidbits and treasures, each immediately enticing, and each a gateway to layers of surprising depth and conundrum. Pick and read essays in no particular order and enjoy the mathematical stories that unfold. Be inspired for your courses, your math clubs and your math circles, or simply enjoy for yourself the bounty of research questions and intriguing puzzlers that lie within.

Which Numbers are Real?
  • Michael Henle
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 August 2012
    Print publication:
    01 August 2012
  • Which Numbers are Real? surveys alternative real number systems: systems that generalize and extend the real numbers while staying close to the properties that make the reals central to mathematics. These systems include, for example, multi-dimensional numbers (the complex numbers, the quaternions, and others), systems that include infinitely small and infinitely large numbers (the hyperreal numbers and the surreal numbers), and numbers that represent positions in games (the surreal numbers). All the systems presented have applications and several are the subject of current mathematical research. Which Numbers are Real? will be of interest to anyone who likes numbers, but particularly upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and mathematics teachers at all levels.

Solve This
  • Math Activities for Students and Clubs
  • James Tanton
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 June 2012
    Print publication:
    01 January 2001
  • This book is a collection of intriguing mathematical problems and activities linked by common themes that involve working with objects from our everyday experience. Learn about the mathematical mysteries of a bagel, a checkerboard, and a pile of laundry, for example. Discover for yourself that wheels need not be round, that braids need not have free ends, that it is always best to turn around twice-and more! Mathematics is all around us. We all do mathematics everyday. This book irresistibly tempts the reader to embark on a journey of investigation and discovery. All the activities are immediate, catchy and fun, but upon investigation begin to unfold into surprising layers of depth and new perspectives. The necessary mathematics in increasing levels of sophistication is fully explained along the way, but readers may amend the journey in any way to match their mathematical abilities. Elementary, middle and high school students, college students and mathematics majors, faculty from all divisions and professional mathematicians, as well as self-described math phobics have all enjoyed these activities and have all attained a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from them. Mathematics educators will find this an invaluable resource of fresh and innovative approaches to topics in mathematics. No preparatory learning is needed to dive right in! You will enjoy doing these activities even more as part of a group event. Whether you are a student or an instructor, anxious or comfortable with math, or just curious about mathematics, you will be challenged and delighted by the activities descibed herein.

She Does Math!
  • Real-Life Problems from Women on the Job
  • Edited by Marla Parker
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 June 2012
    Print publication:
    01 June 1995
  • She Does Math! presents the career histories of 38 professional women and math problems written by them. Each history describes how much math the author took in high school and college; how she chose her field of study; and how she ended up in her current job. Each of the women present several problems typical of those she had to solve on the job using mathematics. There are many good reasons to buy this book: It contains real-life problems. Any student who asks the question, 'Why do I have to learn algebra (or trigonometry or geometery)?' will find many answers in its pages. Students will welcome seeing solutions from real-world jobs where the math skills they are learning in class are actually used. It provides strong female role models. It supplies practical information about the job market. Students learn that they can only compete for these interesting, well-paying jobs by taking mathematics throughout their high school and college years. Who should have this book? Your daughter or granddaughter, your sister, your former math teacher, your students - and young men, too.

Fourier Series
  • Rajendra Bhatia
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 June 2012
    Print publication:
    01 January 2005
  • Fourier Series is a concise introduction to Fourier series covering history, major themes, theorems, examples, and applications. It can be used to learn this subject, and also to supplement, enhance, and embellish undergraduate courses on mathematical analysis. The book begins with a description of the problem that led Fourier to introduce his famous theory and a brief summary of the rich history of the subject over three centuries. The subject is presented in a way that enables the reader to appreciate how a mathematical theory develops in stages from a practical problem (such as conduction of heat) to an abstract theory dealing with concepts such as sets, functions, infinity, and convergence. The abstract theory provides unforeseen applications in diverse areas. Examples, exercises, and directions for further reading and research are given, along with a chapter that provides material at a more advanced level suitable for graduate students. The author demonstrates applications of the theory as well as a broad range of problems. Exercises of varying levels of difficulty are scattered throughout the book. These will help readers test their understanding of the material.

Creative Mathematics
  • H. S. Wall
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 June 2012
    Print publication:
    01 January 2009
  • Professor H. S. Wall wrote Creative Mathematics with the intention of leading students to develop their mathematical abilities, to help them learn the art of mathematics, and to teach them to create mathematical ideas. Creative Mathematics, according to Wall, 'is not a compendium of mathematical facts and inventions to be read over as a connoisseur of art looks over paintings. It is, instead, a sketchbook in which readers try their hands at mathematical discovery.' The book is self contained, and assumes little formal mathematical background on the part of the reader. Wall is earnest about developing mathematical creativity and independence in students. Wall developed Creative Mathematics over a period of many years of working with students at the University of Texas -Austin. In less than two hundred pages, he takes the reader on a stimulating tour starting with numbers, and then moving on to simple graphs, the integral, simple surfaces, successive approximations, linear spaces of simple graphs, and concluding with mechanical systems. The student who has worked through Creative Mathematics will come away with heightened mathematical maturity.

Math Made Visual
  • Creating Images for Understanding Mathematics
  • Claudi Alsina, Roger Nelsen
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    26 October 2011
    Print publication:
    03 August 2006
  • Is it possible to make mathematical drawings that help to understand mathematical ideas, proofs and arguments? The authors of this book are convinced that the answer is yes and the objective of this book is to show how some visualization techniques may be employed to produce pictures that have both mathematical and pedagogical interest. Mathematical drawings related to proofs have been produced since antiquity in China, Arabia, Greece and India but only in the last thirty years has there been a growing interest in so-called 'proofs without words'. Hundreds of these have been publised in Mathematics Magazine and The College Mathematics Journal, as well as in other journals, books, and on the Internet. Often times, a person encountering a 'proof without words' may have the feeling that the pictures involved are the result of a serendipitous discovery or the consequence of an exceptional ingenuity on the part of the picture's creator. In this book the authors show that behind most of the pictures 'proving' mathematical relations are some well-understood methods. As the reader shall see, a given mathematical idea or relation may have many different images that justify it, so that depending on the teaching level or the objectives for producing the pictures, one can choose the best alternative.