A Student's Guide to the Study, Practice, and Tools of Modern Mathematics

by Donald Bindner

Overview

A Student’s Guide to the Study, Practice, and Tools of Modern Mathematics provides an accessible introduction to the world of mathematics. It offers tips on how to study and write mathematics as well as how to use various mathematical tools, from LaTeX and Beamer to Mathematica^® and Maple™ to MATLAB^® and R. Along with a color insert, the text includes exercises and challenges to stimulate creativity and improve problem solving abilities.

The first section of the book covers issues pertaining to studying mathematics. The authors explain how to write mathematical proofs and papers, how to perform mathematical research, and how to give mathematical presentations.

The second section focuses on the use of mathematical tools for mathematical typesetting, generating data, finding patterns, and much more. The text describes how to compose a LaTeX file, give a presentation using Beamer, create mathematical diagrams, use computer algebra systems, and display ideas on a web page. The authors cover both popular commercial software programs and free and open source software, such as Linux and R.

Showing how to use technology to understand mathematics, this guide supports students on their way to becoming professional mathematicians. For beginning mathematics students, it helps them study for tests and write papers. As time progresses, the book aids them in performing advanced activities, such as computer programming, typesetting, and research.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781439846063
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/29/2010
Series:	Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Donald Bindner is an assistant professor of mathematics at Truman State University. He is an advocate of free software.

Martin Erickson is a professor of mathematics at Truman State University. He has written several mathematics books, including Pearls of Discrete Mathematics (CRC Press, 2010) and Introduction to Number Theory (CRC Press, 2008) with Anthony Vazzana.

Table of Contents

THE STUDY AND PRACTICE OF MODERN MATHEMATICS: How to Learn Mathematics. How to Write Mathematics. How to Research Mathematics. How to Present Mathematics. Looking Ahead: Taking Professional Steps. What Is It Like Being a Mathematician?. Guide to Web Resources. A Mathematical Scavenger Hunt. THE TOOLS OF MODERN MATHEMATICS: Introduction. Getting Started with LaTeX. Getting Started with PSTricks. Getting Started with Beamer. Getting Started with Mathematica, Maple, and Maxima. Getting Started with MATLAB and Octave. Getting Started with R. Getting Started with HTML. Getting Started with Geometer’s Sketchpad and GeoGebra. Getting Started with PostScript. Getting Started with Computer Programming Languages. Getting Started with Free and Open Source Software. Putting It All Together. Bibliography. Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

A Student’s Guide provides a useful service by gathering into one place information that students might otherwise be expected to learn by osmosis.
—MAA Reviews, February 2011

Editorial Reviews

A Student’s Guide provides a useful service by gathering into one place information that students might otherwise be expected to learn by osmosis.
—MAA Reviews, February 2011

From the Publisher