Customer Reviews

The Pythagorean Theorem: The Story of Its Power and Beauty

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When I was browsing through this book at the store, it caught my interest so I ordered it.

The main issue I have with this is that it reads like "I bet you didn't know this".

I can see a teacher finding source material for the classroom, and I can see students finding some insight beyond a textbook. And that is where this book lies, as a conversation piece where the reader can draw some antedotes. But you could also get the same from surfing the internet.

The background history is used in a context to explain how the application of the theorem. So if you want a historical picture you have to skip around to various chapters.

The math part is nothing new or really that exciting. Yes there are some interesting presentations you can get from the book for demonstrations.

This book does not have much of interest for the average person, unless they simply want to impress their friends at a bar.

I got this book, because I am a math teacher trying to explain the Pythagorean theorem. For this purpose, it was only moderately helpful. The origins and different ways of proving Pytahgorean theorem was well explained and interesting, but I wasn't sure sure I could use many of them in the classroom. It might be an interesting project though- to have students find the different ways and present on it later.

Overall, interesting book. I would recommend it.

The Pythagorean Theorem: The Story of its Power and Beauty offers high school to college-level collections a fine survey of the best-known equation in math, which every math student studies. Why is it fascinating? Veteran math educator Alfred S. Posamentier offers a fine history of the theorem and its importance over the centuries, linking it to mankind's development and evolution and exploring its hidden aspects. A fine addition to any math history library.

The Pythagorean Theorem is very useful and has been for centuries. I teach a GED class and use two proofs regularly. But now I see there are many more than I ever thought possible.