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

~ (Author), Andrea diSessa (Author) "Imagine that you have control of a little creature called a turtle that exists in a mathematical plane or, better yet, on a computer display..." (more)
Key Phrases: closing theorem, regular monogon, piecewise square surface, Turtle Escapes the Plane, Exploring the Cube, Topology of Turtle Paths (more...)

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

Product Description

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 497 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (July 9, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262510375
• ISBN-13: 978-0262510370
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #575,035 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite geometry textbook, February 21, 2000

By	Andrew Petrarca (Worcester, Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turtle Geometry: The Computer as a Medium for Exploring (Hardcover)

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book to show how to use logo as a tool for math, January 3, 1997

By A Customer

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.

3 of 3 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

By	Patrick Regan "Patrick Regan" (Northampton, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.