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Visualizing Mathematics with 3D Printing Illustrated Edition
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The first book to explain mathematics using 3D printed models.
Winner of the Technical Text of the Washington Publishers
Wouldn’t it be great to experience three-dimensional ideas in three dimensions? In this book―the first of its kind―mathematician and mathematical artist Henry Segerman takes readers on a fascinating tour of two-, three-, and four-dimensional mathematics, exploring Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries, symmetry, knots, tilings, and soap films. Visualizing Mathematics with 3D Printing includes more than 100 color photographs of 3D printed models. Readers can take the book’s insights to a new level by visiting its sister website, 3dprintmath.com, which features virtual three-dimensional versions of the models for readers to explore. These models can also be ordered online or downloaded to print on a 3D printer.
Combining the strengths of book and website, this volume pulls higher geometry and topology out of the realm of the abstract and puts it into the hands of anyone fascinated by mathematical relationships of shape. With the book in one hand and a 3D printed model in the other, readers can find deeper meaning while holding a hyperbolic honeycomb, touching the twists of a torus knot, or caressing the curves of a Klein quartic.
- ISBN-10142142035X
- ISBN-13978-1421420356
- EditionIllustrated
- PublisherJohns Hopkins University Press
- Publication dateOctober 4, 2016
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions7.25 x 0.75 x 10 inches
- Print length200 pages
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Editorial Reviews
Review
―Chalkdust Magazine
The breadth of Segerman’s 3D printing explorations is impressive. Coupled with the clarity of his explanations of the mathematics behind those explorations, this book becomes an easy recommendation for any reader interested in learning some beautiful mathematical ideas.
―Journal of Mathematics and the Arts
No previous mathematical maturity is required. The work is a good addition to any academic library. Highly recommended
―Choice
I have great difficulty thinking about Visualizing Mathematics with 3D Printing as "just a book." The careful choice, quality and effectiveness of the 140+ images in the book is outstanding. What Segerman has developed is much bigger than a book he has developed a whole platform to complement the book and explore mathematical concepts. Visualizing Mathematics with 3D printing allows the reader to manipulate with a computer or 3D print the objects discussed, making it possible to physically interact with the concepts.
―Mathematical Association of America
. . . this book serves as a launching point for teachers who are interested in exploring more advanced geometries or topology themselves. It could also guide conversations between STEM and arts educators trying to build an integrated learning experience.
―National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The focus is on a number of areas that absolutely lend themselves to 3D models, and in these areas the author has excelled . . . wonderful illustrations that inspire much deeper thinking and investigation taking the reader on a fascinating journey.
―Mike Lane, CMath FIMA, Dstl Platform Systems Division, Mathematics Today
[Visualizing Mathematics with 3D Printing] conveys a level of intuition that's difficult to find elsewhere, and it would be an extremely valuable additional resource for any student wanting to develop their geometric and topological understanding and intuition. The innovative way in which material is introduced could also be useful for teachers and lecturers when designing lessons . . . the elegance and beauty of the presentation makes it wholly accessible for accomplished mathematicians, aspiring mathematicians, and non-mathematicians alike.
―Dr. Joel Haddley, Department of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Liverpool, The Mathematical Gazette
This book truly reaches into the third dimension and makes complex geometrical models easier to understand. As a bonus, it's closely coupled with an interactive website and the 3D printed models you can access there. Equally valuable for those of us wrapping our heads around 3D printed mathematical objects and for students of symmetry, topology, knot theory, or regular polyhedra.
―Carlo H. Séquin, University of California, Berkeley
Henry Segerman has made a name for himself demystifying advanced mathematics with the help of 3D printed models. Here, he tackles some difficult concepts―from symmetry to curvature to the shadowy world of four-dimensional shapes―with clear, inviting explanations and beautiful 3D printed illustrations.
―Evelyn Lamb, University of Utah, author of Scientific American's Roots of Unity blog
Visual thinkers, rejoice! Three-dimensional shapes have never been so lovingly illustrated. Segerman’s gorgeous 3D printed models, and his equally beautiful explanations, make this book a treat for the right-brained among us.
―Steven Strogatz, Cornell University, author of The Joy of x: A Guided Tour of Math, from One to Infinity
When someone unfamiliar with mathematics walks into my office expecting an explanation of the fourth dimension or hyperbolic space, the first thing I do is pull out some of Henry Segerman's sculptures. His book reveals the mathematics of these forms, as well as his deep aesthetic sensibility.
―Vi Hart, mathemusician and virtual reality philosopher
Review
When someone unfamiliar with mathematics walks into my office expecting an explanation of the fourth dimension or hyperbolic space, the first thing I do is pull out some of Henry Segerman's sculptures. His book reveals the mathematics of these forms, as well as his deep aesthetic sensibility.
-- Vi HartBook Description
The first book to explain mathematics using 3D printed models.
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Johns Hopkins University Press; Illustrated edition (October 4, 2016)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 200 pages
- ISBN-10 : 142142035X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1421420356
- Item Weight : 1.55 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.25 x 0.75 x 10 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,052,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #132 in 3D Printing Books
- #244 in Mathematical & Statistical Software
- #677 in Mathematics Study & Teaching (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book inspiring, instructive, and fun to read. They appreciate the nice math concepts written in clear language. Readers also mention the book is great for those who enjoy geometry and want to venture.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book inspiring, instructive, and fun to read. They say it's a good read if you are into topology.
"...The math concepts are written in clear language, and fun to read even if you don't have a 3D printer...." Read more
"The book is inspiring, well written and wonderfully printed.It is accessible as it is more like an art book than a technical..." Read more
"...mathematics (which leads ultimately to some confusion), but a very interesting book...." Read more
"...Good read if you are into topology, less interesting otherwise." Read more
Customers find the math concepts in the book nice, clear, and fun to read. They say it's useful information on mathematics and 3D printing. Readers also mention the book is great for those who enjoy geometry.
"...The math concepts are written in clear language, and fun to read even if you don't have a 3D printer...." Read more
"...Great for those who enjoy geometry and want to venture further." Read more
"...The math is well-written, in about as much layman's language possible. Good read if you are into topology, less interesting otherwise." Read more
"...Also useful information on mathematics and 3D printing." Read more
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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The math concepts are written in clear language, and fun to read even if you don't have a 3D printer.
The book talks mostly about the theoretical math side, and not so much about the technical aspects of 3D printing,
so if you're a starting hobbyist you should choose another guide book.
Henry's 3D Printed "illustrations" have already given me a lot of inspiration in my own 3D printed art.
This book definitely deserves a spot among my top 10 favorite books ever.
It is accessible as it is more like an art book than a technical
or mathematical book.
The choice of objects which were printed is rather
conservative: polyhedra and polytopes, three dimensional
curved objects, knots and surfaces. Some topics were inspired
by early pioneers of 3D printing like George Hart. There
are also example sculptures from artists like
Vladimir Bulatov or Bathsheba Gossman.
An appendix contains some comments on pictures, sometimes with
hints on where the inspiration comes from. Unfortunately a
bibliography is missing.
The first chapter contains some information how the photographs
were obtained. In an appendix there is some information on
how the objects were generated. It is however not a technical
"how to" book. This is smart, as such a book would be short lived.
It is also not a mathematical book. I would place it into the
art and graphics section as sculptures are a form of graphics.
Having seen a draft of an early version of the book, I felt
already then, it would become a nice book. As it is challenging to bring
mathematics to a more general audience, I'm surprised how well
it turned out. I approve of the perfect title as I had
co-authored in 2013 an article with a similar title and it really
hits the spot of the book: it is all about the art of
visualization of mathematical structures with an exciting new
technology.
This is STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) at it's best and most instructive.
Top reviews from other countries
Nichtsdestotrotz ist das ein großartiges Buch. Man merkt was für ein Enthusiast der Autor ist. Das Buch und die Drucke sind seine Babys und das bringt er auch rüber. Es lässt das Nerd Herz definitiv höher schlagen. Auf Youtube findet man auch Vorträge vom Autor zu dem Thema, ebenfalls interessant. Auch wenn das Buch ein paar Euro mehr kostet als viele andere Bücher, ist es jeden Cent Wert weil es außergewöhnlich ist. Ich kann das Buch also nur wärmstens Empfehlen wenn man sich mit 3D Druck und/oder Mathematik beschäftigt.
Reviewed in France on October 8, 2019
E' un libro scritto da un matematico, ma non è un libro matematico. Mi spiego: avrei avuto bisogno di spunti e di formule, ho trovato solo definizione approssimate e tante tante immagini di modelli 3D di funzioni matematiche stampate dall'autore.
Insomma, non era quello di cui avevo bisogno, e a giudicare dai contenuti, è più la spesa che l'impresa.




