Mathematical Footprints: Discovering Mathematics Everywhere (Paperback)

by Theoni Pappas (Author) "Holding a dim light up to etched marks on the walls of caves in La Pileta, Spain, one is struck by the realization that some..." (more)
Key Phrases: mathematical footprints, sinus curves, mathematical look, New York, San Francisco, Tony Robbin (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This journey across the spectrum of human activities takes a creative look at the role mathematics has played since prehistoric times. From its many uses in medicine and its appearance in artwork to its patterns in nature and its central role in the development of computers, mathematics is presented in a fun-to-read, nonthreatening manner.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Wide World Publishing, Tetra (January 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884550215
• ISBN-13: 978-1884550218
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #648,356 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please remove second review, November 20, 2003

By	Barbara Nostrand "Barbara Nostrand" (Syracuse, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dear Amazon Staff.

A recent review for this book was obviously written by someone who is unfamiliar with geometry and trigonometry. The pythagorian theoren states that the relationship between the two sides and the hypotenuse of a right triangle is A^2 = B^2 + C^2 since sin and cosine are defined to be the two sides of a right triangle whose hypotenuse is 1, the theorem which you reviewer claims to be false is in fact true. It is always the case that 1 = sin^2 w + cos^2 w regardless of the value of w. I am writing to you because the majority of people rating your more recent customer review of this book are rating his review as being useful. This is really unfortunate.

I am considering using this book for a course. I will write a
review for it if we use it.

Barbara Nostrand, Ph.D. (Mathematics - Northeastern University)
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
SUNY College at Potsdam
Potsdam, New York 13676

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lively, engaging, informative history of math and its uses., March 3, 2000

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

What role has math played since prehistoric times? This considers math's many uses in medicine and art, its role in the development of computers and information systems, and its systematic importance to daily living. From the math involved in weather forecasting to math in art, this is packed with important details presented in a lively manner.

5.0 out of 5 stars Joyful Journey with Theoni Pappas, October 5, 2008

By	Chip P. (Corona del Mar, California) - See all my reviews

Theoni Pappas has enabled me to give a genuinely fun and interesting introduction to mathematics to my family and friends. I've enjoyed the writings of this talented author and mathemetician for 20 years. She gives mathematics a fun side! It's great to read her books, then for the rest of your life to see math in the real world, most everywhere you look. Theoni's writings and stories are a gift!