Mathematics is more important than ever, but phrases like "math avoidance" and "math anxiety" are very much in the public vocabulary. In addition to providing an invitation to mathematics in general, this book emphasizes the dynamic character of geometry and its role as part of the foundation for our cultural heritage. Aimed at an informed public and future teachers of mathematics, it seeks to heal the ills of math phobia in society.
This book contains selected topics from the history of geometry, with "modern" proofs of some of the results, as well as a fully modern treatment of selected basic issues in geometry. The book aims at future teachers of mathematics. All too often the geometry which goes into the syllabus for teacher-students presents the material as pedantic and formalistic, suppressing its dynamic character and its role as part of the foundation for our common cultural heritage. The motivation for the book is to open up these aspects of the field. Another motivation is to provide an invitation to mathematics in general. It is an unfortunate fact that today, at a time when mathematics and knowledge of mathematics are more important than ever, phrases like math avoidance and math anxiety are very much in the public vocabulary. An important task is seriously attempting to heal these ills. Thus the book also aims at an informed public, interested in making a new beginning in math.
This book contains selected topics from the history of geometry, with "modern" proofs of some of the results, as well as a fully modern treatment of selected basic issues in geometry. The book aims at future teachers of mathematics. All too often the geometry which goes into the syllabus for teacher-students presents the material as pedantic and formalistic, suppressing its dynamic character and its role as part of the foundation for our common cultural heritage. The motivation for the book is to open up these aspects of the field. Another motivation is to provide an invitation to mathematics in general. It is an unfortunate fact that today, at a time when mathematics and knowledge of mathematics are more important than ever, phrases like math avoidance and math anxiety are very much in the public vocabulary. An important task is seriously attempting to heal these ills. Thus the book also aims at an informed public, interested in making a new beginning in math.
From the reviews of the second edition:
"Devised primarily for future teachers of mathematics, but to be enjoyed by all lovers of geometry, including professional geometers, who will likely find something new in the historical part, this book renders an essential service to the mathematical community by presenting the story of geometry in two equal halves, the first half surveying its history up to Descartes and the second one presenting the version of geometry that emerged from the axiomatic revolution of the late 19th century, with an emphasis on algebraic geometry." (Victor V. Pambuccian, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1202, 2011)
"Devised primarily for future teachers of mathematics, but to be enjoyed by all lovers of geometry, including professional geometers, who will likely find something new in the historical part, this book renders an essential service to the mathematical community by presenting the story of geometry in two equal halves, the first half surveying its history up to Descartes and the second one presenting the version of geometry that emerged from the axiomatic revolution of the late 19th century, with an emphasis on algebraic geometry." (Victor V. Pambuccian, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1202, 2011)