The Art of Problem Posing [Paperback]

Stephen I. Brown (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0898597250 | ISBN-13: 978-0898597257 | Publication Date: May 1990

Updated and expanded, this second edition satisfies the same philosophical objective as the first -- to show the importance of problem posing. Although interest in mathematical problem solving increased during the past decade, problem posing remained relatively ignored. The Art of Problem Posing draws attention to this equally important act and is the innovator in the field.

Special features include:

* an exploration ofthe logical relationship between problem posing and problem solving

* a special chapter devoted to teaching problem posing as a separate course

* sketches, drawings, diagrams, and cartoons that illustrate the schemes proposed

* a special section on writing in mathematics

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The text is easy to read and actively involves the reader. The Art of Problem Solving has the potential to influence significantly the way teachers think about the nature of mathematics and what it means to 'do' mathematics. The authors invision that this will, in turn, influence mathematics students of all ages as they engage in solving problems they themselves have posed.

—Mathematics Teacher

When first published in 1983,...provided an innovative approach to mathematics education and problem solving. The third edition features several new highlights, including computer examples that show how technology affects problem posing, discussion of the concept of student as author and critic, and analysis of how the 'standards' in math education incorporate problem-posing techniques.
—ED - Harvard Graduate School of Education

The audience for this book is any college mathematics students, present and future teachers of mathematics, as well as any person interested in problem posing.
—School Science and Mathematics Journal

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc (May 1990)
• ISBN-10: 0898597250
• ISBN-13: 978-0898597257
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,816,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars provides a method for exploring mathematical problems as well as posing them, January 16, 2007

By 

Patrick Regan "Patrick Regan" (Northampton, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Problem Posing (Paperback)

The Art of Problem Posing is a great book. The authors provide a step by step method for learning about, and solving problems in, mathematics. The method is as follows:
Level O:
Choose a starting point ie a problem or a concept in math
Level 1:
Define the attributes of a problem or concept
Level 2:
Ask what if not for each concept.
Level 3:
Ask Questions about the results of 0 - 2.
Level 4:
Analyze (solve) the problem

The authors use fairly accessible math in the process of explaining their techniques, including the Pythagorean Theorem and a few other concepts that most people will know.

I want to emphasize that this book is not just about problem posing; it also offers a technique for problem solving. The authors note that the two cannot really be completely separated.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shelve with Polya, August 2, 2010

By 

Customer (Baltimore) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Problem Posing (Paperback)

Written at an elementary level, but the insights are fantastic. I don't know if the mathematically astute think analogously to the manner taught in this book, but it seems there would be something here for everyone -- excluding maybe professionals. Also, the book is so short that it can be read (and re-read if need be) speedily until the strategies are second nature. I was as excited reading this as I was Polya's series -- but the two cover different aspects of mathematical investigation. I'm glad this book was written and that I found it!