Turtle Geometry presents an innovative program of mathematical discovery that demonstrates how the effective use of personal computers can profoundly change the nature of a student's contact with mathematics. Using this book and a few simple computer programs, students can explore the properties of space by following an imaginary turtle across the screen.The concept of turtle geometry grew out of the Logo Group at MIT. Directed by Seymour Papert, author of Mindstorms, this group has done extensive work with preschool children, high school students and university undergraduates. Harold Abelson is an associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT. Andrea diSessa is an associate professor in the Graduate School of Education, University of California, Berkeley.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A college-level math text for serious mathematicians and fans of recreational mathematics. This book proves that turtle graphics is not just kid stuff." Popular Computing
"Reading this book with the help of a good graphics computer system, you are sure to discover new and interesting math... an excellent textbook or self-study guide." W. Lloyd Milligan , Byte
About the Author
Hal Abelson is Class of 1922 Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a fellow of the IEEE. He is a founding director of Creative Commons, Public Knowledge, and the Free Software Foundation. Additionally, he serves as co-chair for the MIT Council on Educational Technology.
Andrea diSessa is Chancellor's Professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley, and a member of the National Academy of Education. He is the coauthor of Turtle Geometry: The Computer as a Medium for Exploring Mathematics (MIT Press, 1981).
Andrea diSessa is Chancellor's Professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley, and a member of the National Academy of Education. He is the coauthor of Turtle Geometry: The Computer as a Medium for Exploring Mathematics (MIT Press, 1981).
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I discovered this little gem of a book while exploring the stacks in the library when I was attending a local junior college back in the 80's. The author uses Logo's turtle graphics as a way of exploring the properties of geometric space. From very simple beginnings drawing regular polygons and other simple shapes, the book gradually works its way to more and more complicated scenarios. After exploring the properties of ordinary turtle graphics, turtle graphics are tried on the surfaces of spheres and cubes, then on more complicated surfaces. Little by little, concepts of non-Euclidean geometry are introduced, until the final chapters in which the turtle is used to demonstrate the geometric nature of gravity in Einstein's general theory of relativity.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone with interests in computer programming, geometry and physics. The unusual approach this book takes to the understanding of curved space is deceptively simple and surprisingly powerful.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
forward thinking book about using the computer for mathematics education
December 28, 2006
Format:Paperback
Turtle Geometry teaches mathematics and physics via the computer and the Logo programming language. The mathematics covered is pretty advanced, including topology, and general relativity. Yet, through the use of turtle geometry this advanced math and physics becomes accessible to the layperson. Although all of the examples are in the Logo programming language there are listings of Basic routines in the back of the book. With the help of the Basic routines I was able to easily translate the Logo/Basic code to the Python programming language which I choose to use for reading this book. The reviewers of this book mention it as the beginnning of a revolution in mathematics education. It seems though, that this revolution did not come about as computers are still not used very effectively in the classroom. I think this is very sad as the teaching approach used in Turtle Geometry could be very successful in the classroom.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Anyone interested in logo from beginners to advanced users
will benefit from reading this book. It has very easy and
simple to understand examples, along with a review, and
questions at the end of every chapter. Some solutions are
provided at the end of the book, (and their even correct, as
opposed to many other text books I've read). The pace of
the book gets gradually more difficulst, yet more interesting
as you reach the climax at the end. A must read for anyone
interested in Mathematics.
will benefit from reading this book. It has very easy and
simple to understand examples, along with a review, and
questions at the end of every chapter. Some solutions are
provided at the end of the book, (and their even correct, as
opposed to many other text books I've read). The pace of
the book gets gradually more difficulst, yet more interesting
as you reach the climax at the end. A must read for anyone
interested in Mathematics.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Unique Volume In The Computer Science Library
Everything you always wanted to know about Turtle Graphics. More, actually, than you thought there was to know. Sample code for algorithms. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Dana Gregory
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful, unappreciated book
I began working with this book in 1981 at the age of 15, using a Logo disk for the Apple II given to me by my sister's friend who worked in the MIT AI lab. It is a gem of a book. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Vector Graphics Expert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing book
Just an all around great book; interesting way to explore geometry, in a format that's easily understandable for both beginning & advanced students.
Published on July 1, 2010 by fleburble
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good enough
Not as new as I expected. Doesn't have original cover, though I can settle with the enforced hard cover.
Published on May 4, 2009 by Z. Lee
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 8
books:
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17
books
cite this book:
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- The Theory of Relativity: & Other Essays by Einstein in Front Matter, page 343, and page 372
- Artificial Intelligence (3rd Edition) by Winston in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Front Matter (3)
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy in Front Matter
- On Growth and Form: The Complete Revised Edition (Dover Books on Biology) by D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson on page 85
- The Interpretation of Visual Motion (Artificial Intelligence Series) by Shimon Ullman in Front Matter
See all 8 books this book cites
- The Pattern Book: Fractals, Art, and Nature by Clifford A. Pickover on page 134, and page 137
- Information and Communication Technology and the Teacher of the Future (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology) by Carolyn Dowling on page 227
- Machine Translation: A View from the Lexicon (Artificial Intelligence) by Bonnie Jean Dorr in Back Matter
- The Language Complexity Game (Artificial Intelligence) by Eric Sven Ristad in Back Matter
- Unobstructed Shortest Paths in Polyhedral Environments (Lecture Notes in Computer Science) by Varol Akman in Back Matter
See all 17 books citing this book
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