The Prince of Mathematics: Carl Friedrich Gauss [Hardcover]

M. B. W. Tent (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1568812612 | ISBN-13: 978-1568812618 | Publication Date: January 30, 2006

Learn about the boy who - could read and add numbers when he was three years old, - thwarted his teacher by finding a quick and easy way to sum the numbers 1-100, - attracted the attention of a Duke with his genius, and became the man who... - predicted the reappearance of a lost planet, - discovered basic properties of magnetic forces, - invented a surveying tool used by professionals until the invention of lasers. Based on extensive research of original and secondary sources, this historical narrative will inspire young readers and even curious adults with its touching story of personal achievement.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... a worthwhile book. It is nicely conceived, well researched, and thoughfully written and illustrated. We could use more books of this nature for young readers. I would recommend this book for middle school and secondary school library acquisition.
—Frank J. Swetz, Mathematics Teacher, February 2007

For teachers who value the impact that historical studies in mathematics can have on their students, who incorporate literature into their teaching, or who want to open up a world of mathematics often inaccessible to middle school students, this is an excellent source.
—M. Jayne Fleener, Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, February 2007

This book is a novel about Gauss written so as to be comprehensible to young readers... a historical narrative resulting from extensive research of original and secondary sources.
—Peter Fillmore, CMS Notes, February 2007

exceptionally engaging treatment of Gauss' life and accomplishments spiced up here and there with just the right amount of mathematics; particularly suitable for young readers.
—Philip J. Davis, November 2005

In this book, young readers are transported back two centuries to the candlelit world of Carl Friedrich Gauss. M.B.W. Tent's charming tale follows Gauss from his working-class boyhood to the heights of European mathematics-a Horatio Algebra story if ever there was one.
—William Dunham, November 2005

About the Author

Margaret Tent grew up in western Massachusetts where she graduated from Mt. Holyoke College. She has taught mathematics for several years and enjoys bringing the history of mathematics into her teaching. She currently lives and teaches in Birmingham, Alabama.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: A K Peters/CRC Press (January 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568812612
• ISBN-13: 978-1568812618
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #888,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great high level overview of Gauss's Life, January 7, 2008

By 

Rocco (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prince of Mathematics: Carl Friedrich Gauss (Hardcover)

This was a great overview of Gauss's life and career. I have an engineering background and used Gauss's mathematics during my college days and engineering work. This book was written so that one could read and appreciate it with a very limited understanding of algebra and trigonometry. I knew very little about Gauss's life before reading this text, and I am happy with what I learned about him.

This book gave several brief examples of how Gauss thought about math problems as a young man. For example, the author describes several mathematical problems that Gauss solved in a very unique way compared to his peers (e.g. quickly finding the sum of all integers from 1 to 100). The book contains descriptions of how a young Gauss approached and thought about his unique solutions.

Several areas of Gauss's expertise were only briefly described (e.g. his work on magnetism). I would have liked to have had more technical detail included as an appendix to the text.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An in-depth and intricate story of the amazing life of a revolutionary mathematician, April 5, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prince of Mathematics: Carl Friedrich Gauss (Hardcover)

The Prince Of Mathematics: Carl Friedrich Gauss, knowledgeably and engagingly written by mathematics teacher M. B. W. Tent, is an in-depth and intricate story of the amazing life of a revolutionary mathematician. Based upon stories told by Gauss, The Prince Of Mathematics reveals an intimate and vivid account of an 18th century's mathematician's life. The Prince Of Mathematics is an accurate and true understanding of a man who in his time was a prolific contributor to the science of mathematics. For its educational and informative content, The Prince Of Mathematics is very highly recommended reading to all mathematics history enthusiasts, as well as those in study of cultural paradigm oriented biographical study.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful portrait, February 17, 2006

By 

Lois Turnipseed "S5107" (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Prince of Mathematics: Carl Friedrich Gauss (Hardcover)

This book is great for all ages. It tells the life of Gauss while explaining his mathmatical concepts at the same time. The words are understandable for all ages and it is wonderful that somone researched his life. Tent explains his life in an entertaining manner that allows the reader to really realize his journey in life.