Mathematical Ideas

by John Hornsby, Christopher Heeren, Charles David Miller, et al.

Book Overview

For courses in Liberal Arts Mathematics. Engages non-STEM students with a practical presentation that connects mathematics to their current and future lives Mathematical Ideas is a versatile text that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0321977076
• ISBN13: 9780321977076
• Release Date: December 2014
• Publisher: Pearson
• Length: 984 Pages
• Weight: 4.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 8.8" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Well done

He gave exactly what he advertized, and I could expect nothing more. It was in wonderful condition, and it arrived faster than advertized. Thank you.

Mathematical Ideas Text

This was book was received timely and it was much cheaper that the college bookstore. Very pleased

Suprisingly Great!

I thought that this was a fabulous book for an overview of mathematics concepts. The explanations were clear and the problems throughout each chapter and the chapter reviews were excellent practice questions for the Teachers Examination for my state (GA). Fantastic book!!

Excellent Foundational Text

I have the fifth edition of the text, which is now in its eight edition. This is an excellent book, and it is very entertaining to read--a description that does not fit many mathematics textbooks. Although geared for students without much math background, it is an enjoyable read for all, with its engaging sidebars, its sense of the history, and believe it or not, a sense of humor (for instance, a problem requiring you to create a Venn diagram for the topics of country songs--truckers, prison and love). A a philosopher, it is refreshing that the first 100 pages are devoted to set theory and logic--something that is not focused on often enough in basic courses. Most topics are likewise presented with a philosophical angle--for example, the first page points out the problems with defining "set." Utlimately, all definitions of set are circular--does this make "set" undisputably axiomatic? These kinds of problems are at least implied throughout the text. The effect is as deligtful as it is rare. You are not given the sense that the subject matter is complete, instead you are inspired to solve the dilemmas. While the incompleteness and conundrums are common knowledge to mathematics graduate students, they are not frequently imparted to students taking basic courses. That is a shame. When I was in high school, I felt turned off from math--as did many of my friends, because it was presented as a dry, static subject. Memorizing formulas and theorems was like memorizing the Gettysburg Address. Mathematical Ideas does the opposite--it shows an open door for creative problem solving and makes you hungry to explore.