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How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method 2nd Edition

by G. Polya (Author), John H. Conway (Foreword)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
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A perennial bestseller by eminent mathematician G. Polya, How to Solve It will show anyone in any field how to think straight. In lucid and appealing prose, Polya reveals how the mathematical method of demonstrating a proof or finding an unknown can be of help in attacking any problem that can be "reasoned" out―from building a bridge to winning a game of anagrams. Generations of readers have relished Polya's deft―indeed, brilliant―instructions on stripping away irrelevancies and going straight to the heart of the problem.

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  1. ISBN-10
    0691080976
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0691080970
  3. Edition
    2nd
  4. Publisher
    Princeton University Press
  5. Publication date
    January 1, 1973
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  8. Print length
    253 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Every prospective teacher should read it. In particular, graduate students will find it invaluable. The traditional mathematics professor who reads a paper before one of the Mathematical Societies might also learn something from the book: 'He writes a, he says b, he means c; but it should be d.'"---E. T. Bell, Mathematical Monthly

"[This] elementary textbook on heuristic reasoning, shows anew how keen its author is on questions of method and the formulation of methodological principles. Exposition and illustrative material are of a disarmingly elementary character, but very carefully thought out and selected."---Herman Weyl, Mathematical Review

"I recommend it highly to any person who is seriously interested in finding out methods of solving problems, and who does not object to being entertained while he does it." ― Scientific Monthly

"Any young person seeking a career in the sciences would do well to ponder this important contribution to the teacher's art."---A. C. Schaeffer, American Journal of Psychology

"Every mathematics student should experience and live this book" ― Mathematics Magazine

"In an age that all solutions should be provided with the least possible effort, this book brings a very important message: mathematics and problem solving in general needs a lot of practice and experience obtained by challenging creative thinking, and certainly not by copying predefined recipes provided by others. Let's hope this classic will remain a source of inspiration for several generations to come."---A. Bultheel, European Mathematical Society

About the Author

George Polya (1887–1985) was one of the most influential mathematicians of the twentieth century. His basic research contributions span complex analysis, mathematical physics, probability theory, geometry, and combinatorics. He was a teacher par excellence who maintained a strong interest in pedagogical matters throughout his long career. Even after his retirement from Stanford University in 1953, he continued to lead an active mathematical life. He taught his final course, on combinatorics, at the age of ninety. John H. Conway is professor emeritus of mathematics at Princeton University. He was awarded the London Mathematical Society's Polya Prize in 1987. Like Polya, he is interested in many branches of mathematics, and in particular, has invented a successor to Polya's notation for crystallographic groups.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Princeton University Press; 2nd edition (January 1, 1973)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 253 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0691080976
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0691080970
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
We don’t use a simple average to calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star. Our system gives more weight to certain factors—including how recent the review is and if the reviewer bought it on Amazon. Learn more
9 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jorge
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2016
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This book contains so many observations from the before the 21 century. Polya gave me the excitement I needed to be reminded how a university worked before the internet. I was introduced to several ancient and modern ideas that enhanced my understanding. I learned to solve problems by studying computer science. Polya introduced me to the preoccupation of ancient mathematicians and philosophers. They desired to make a science for solving problems and to create a taxonomy for different problem types. James Stewart lead me to this book.This is a great book.
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Blake Norman
4.0 out of 5 stars Wish i was smart enough to use it
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2013
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If you have a young up and comer this is a must buy to involve a youngsters intellect and curiosity. Never know when something will send a mind into orbit
3 people found this helpful
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Ibrahim
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2019
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Great book
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Dennis A. Devine
1.0 out of 5 stars great for that
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2018
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written for a teacher approaching students newly learning math. great for that, but not so much as a general guide on improving problem solving for other areas.
2 people found this helpful
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Dave Clingerman
3.0 out of 5 stars How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2013
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Folks it was not what I remembered it to be. I lost or gave away my first copy and what I needed was not "G. Polya". It's a good book for someone wishing to teach math but as a reference book on mathematics - it's not.
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