How to Write Mathematics (Paperback)

~ Norman E. Steenrod (Author), Paul R. Halmos (Author), Menahem M. Schiffer (Author), Jean A. Dieudonne (Author) "This is a subjective essay, and its title is misleading; a more honest title might be HOW I WRITE MATHEMATICS..." (more)
Key Phrases: planar variable, spiral plan, mathematical writing, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This book contains four essays on expository writing of books and papers at the research level and at the level of graduate texts. The authors were the four members of the AMS Committee on Expository Writing

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: American Mathematical Society (December 1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821800558
• ISBN-13: 978-0821800553
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #330,059 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for mathematicians and scientists, August 14, 2007

By	Guy Shinar (Ramat Gan, Israel) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This short booklet contains four essays about how to write mathematics papers and books. The essays by Steenrod and Halmos, two prominent figures of 20th century mathematics, stand out for their common sense, depth and lucidity. They bring forth essential strategic issues, such as the need to maintain a clear separation between the formal and informal parts of mathematical papers, as well as useful tactical issues such as choosing notation. In my opinion, the essays transcend the field of mathematics, and the principles that they delineate are applicable to all areas of scientific writing.

7 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The paper by Halmos is worth the price of the book, July 15, 1998

By A Customer

Paul Halmos gives wonderful advice on how to write in mathematics. Get it.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars multi-author approach works, December 26, 2005

By	David Wallace Croft (Carrollton, TX) - See all my reviews

The various authors of "How to Write Mathematics" set out to describe their own personal writing styles, beginning with an admission that there is a lack of consensus on this topic. Indeed, the book closes with a couple of pages by the last author critiquing the advice of the first. On including detailed proofs in your publications, for example, you will find one author prescribing and another proscribing the practice.

The essays were written independently and this shows in the overlap and the contradictions. Whereas I have been highly critical of multi-author books in the past, the approach seems to work in this collection. Recalling my own efforts in writing a book on a topic within another field, I found myself agreeing or disagreeing with the authors on the various points. I was relieved to note that as early as at least three decades ago, authors before me shared identical conflicts with editors and copyreaders.

Based on my limited experience in writing, I had developed a number of half-formed rules of thumb. Given the recommendations of writers more experienced than I as so boldly presented, I am likely to be more aggressive in applying these rules. I would recommend this book to those authors with at least a few writing efforts under their belts. Given the specific nature of the examples in the essays, however, it is likely that only mathematicians will fully appreciate this book.