Customer Reviews

The Art of Problem Posing

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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.

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!