Mathematical Ideas [Hardcover]

Charles D. Miller (Author), Vern E. Heeren (Author), John Hornsby (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321361482 | ISBN-13: 978-0321361486 | Publication Date: January 12, 2007 | Edition: 11th

One of the biggest issues college math instructors face is capturing and keeping student interest. Over the years, John Hornsby has refined a creative solution--bringing the best of Hollywood into his mathematics classroom. Mathematical Ideas applies this same strategy of engaging students through descriptions of video clips from popular cinema and television to the textbook. Alongside fresh data and tools, this Eleventh Edition uses up-to-the-minute images as well as old favorites of math being done in Hollywood. In addition, examples are clarified with additional annotations, the margin notes have been freshened, and Chapter 14: Personal Financial Management has been updated to meet the needs of today's students. With great care and effort, Vern Heeren and John Hornsby have crafted this new edition to serve the needs of today's students and instructors.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Vern Heeren received his bachelor's degree from Occidental College and his master's degree from the University of California, Davis, both in mathematics. He is a retired professor of mathematics from American River College where he was active in all aspects of mathematics education and curriculum development for thirty-eight years. Teaming with Charles D. Miller in 1969 to write Mathematical Ideas, the pair later collaborated on Mathematics: An Everyday Experience; John Hornsby joined as co-author of Mathematical Ideas on the later six editions. Vern enjoys the support of his wife, three sons, three daughters in-law, and eight grandchildren.

 

John Hornsby When a young John Hornsby enrolled in Lousiana State University, he was uncertain whether he wanted to study mathematics education or journalism. Ultimately, he decided to become a teacher. After twenty five years in high school and university classrooms, each of his goals has been realized. His passion for teaching and mathematics manifests itself in his dedicated work with students and teachers, while his penchant for writing has, for twenty five years, been exercised in the writing of mathematics textbooks. Devotion to his family (wife Gwen and sons Chris, Jack, and Josh), numismatics (the study of coins) and record collecting keep him busy when he is not involved in teaching or writing. He is also an avid fan of baseball and music of the 1960's. Instructors, students, and the 'general public' are raving about his recent Math Goes to Hollywood presentations across the country.

 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 952 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; 11th edition (January 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321361482
• ISBN-13: 978-0321361486
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Foundational Text, October 11, 1997

By 

Farffleblex Plaffington (Parnybarnel, Mississippi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mathematical Ideas (Hardcover)

I have the fifth edition of the text, which is now in its eight edition. This is an excellent book, and it is very entertaining to read--a description that does not fit many mathematics textbooks. Although geared for students without much math background, it is an enjoyable read for all, with its engaging sidebars, its sense of the history, and believe it or not, a sense of humor (for instance, a problem requiring you to create a Venn diagram for the topics of country songs--truckers, prison and love). A a philosopher, it is refreshing that the first 100 pages are devoted to set theory and logic--something that is not focused on often enough in basic courses. Most topics are likewise presented with a philosophical angle--for example, the first page points out the problems with defining "set." Utlimately, all definitions of set are circular--does this make "set" undisputably axiomatic? These kinds of problems are at least implied throughout the text. The effect is as deligtful as it is rare. You are not given the sense that the subject matter is complete, instead you are inspired to solve the dilemmas. While the incompleteness and conundrums are common knowledge to mathematics graduate students, they are not frequently imparted to students taking basic courses. That is a shame. When I was in high school, I felt turned off from math--as did many of my friends, because it was presented as a dry, static subject. Memorizing formulas and theorems was like memorizing the Gettysburg Address. Mathematical Ideas does the opposite--it shows an open door for creative problem solving and makes you hungry to explore.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Suprisingly Great!, August 8, 2007

By 

Hannah Banana "Hanner Bananner" (Peach State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mathematical Ideas, Expanded Edition (10th Edition) (Hardcover)

I thought that this was a fabulous book for an overview of mathematics concepts. The explanations were clear and the problems throughout each chapter and the chapter reviews were excellent practice questions for the Teachers Examination for my state (GA). Fantastic book!!

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mathmatical Ideas, February 15, 2008

By 

B. McCauley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mathematical Ideas (Hardcover)

This book is titled with the MathXL tutorials on CD. I bought the book brand new, believing that the CD came with. IT DOES NOT! It was very misleading of amazon and an inconvenience to me. I couldn't do my math homework for over a week due to the fact that shipping was insanely slow and then the order was not what was expected. Don't buy this book here if you need the CD or access code otherwise it cost an extra $50 from the publisher for it.