The Platonic Solids Book [Paperback]

Dan Radin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2008

Adapted from his computer-animated video, Platonic Solid Rock, Dan Radin's The Platonic Solids Book combines beautiful 3-D computer graphics with an insightful and entertaining journey through the mathematics and recreations of polyhedra. Paper templates and detailed instructions guide the reader through the construction of the Platonic solids, the compounds of the Platonic solids, and an origami star polyhedron. The reader is led through an exploration of the philosophical nature of mathematics in the contexts of polyhedra. Chapters end with guiding questions for the reader to ponder. Finally, an appendix contains six lesson plans that can be adapted to teach students from elementary school through college. The Platonic Solids Book is an excellent textbook, reference book, teacher's resource, and recreational reading for the amateur or seasoned geometer.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dan Radin taught mathematics for thirteen years at the middle school, high school, and college levels. He has a masters degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Michigan State University and a bachelors degree in Applied and Engineering Physics from Cornell University. He has always been particularly interested in presenting students with the more beautiful aspects of mathematics. In 2007, he created a computer-animated video about the Platonic solids entitled, "Platonic Solid Rock." In 1999, he created a college course entitled, "The Art of Mathematics." The development of this course was funded by The National Science Foundation. In 1984, he created a snap-together educational model construction kit based on Buckminster Fuller's concept of tensegrity. The kit was called, "FANTASTIX," and sold in over fifty different educational stores and catalogs. The kit was a required material for a Design Science course at Harvard University. Dan Radin currently works with various state departments of education helping them develop mathematics teacher certification programs. For an up-to-date view of Dan Radin's mathematics education creative work, visit his website at www.PlatonicSolids.info.

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (October 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434823733
• ISBN-13: 978-1434823731
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,029,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)