Customer Reviews

Turtle Geometry: The Computer as a Medium for Exploring Mathematics (Artificial Intelligence)

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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.

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.

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.

Just an all around great book; interesting way to explore geometry, in a format that's easily understandable for both beginning & advanced students.

Not as new as I expected. Doesn't have original cover, though I can settle with the enforced hard cover.