Reading, Writing, and Proving
A Closer Look at Mathematics
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Beschreibung
This book, which is based on Pólya's method of problem solving, aids students in their transition from calculus (or precalculus) to higher-level mathematics. The book begins by providing a great deal of guidance on how to approach definitions, examples, and theorems in mathematics. It ends by providing projects for independent study.
Students will follow Pólya's four step process: learn to understand the problem; devise a plan to solve the problem; carry out that plan; and look back and check what the results told them. Special emphasis is placed on reading carefully and writing well. The authors have included a wide variety of examples, exercises with solutions, problems, and over 40 illustrations, chosen to emphasize these goals. Historical connections are made throughout the text, and students are encouraged to use the rather extensive bibliography to begin making connections of their own. While standard texts in this area prepare students for future courses in algebra, this book also includes chapters on sequences, convergence, and metric spaces for those wanting to bridge the gap between the standard course in calculus and one in analysis.
You are probably about to teach or take a “?rst course in proof techniques,” or maybe you just want to learn more about mathem- ics. No matter what the reason, a student who wishes to learn the material in this book likes mathematics, and we hope to keep it that way. At this point, students have an intuitive sense of why things are true, but not the exposure to the detailed and critical thinking necessary to survive in the mathematical world. We have written this book to bridge this gap. In our experience, students beginning this course have little training in rigorous mathematical reasoning; they need guidance. At the end, they are where they should be; on their own. Our aim is to teach the students to read, write, and do mathematics in- pendently, and to do it with clarity, precision, and care. If we can maintain the enthusiasm they have for the subject, or even create some along the way, our book has done what it was intended to do. Reading. This book was written for a course we teach to ?rst and second year college students. The style is informal. A few problems require calculus, but these are identi?ed as such. Students will also needtoparticipatewhilereadingproofs,proddedbyquestions(such as, “Why?”). Many detailed examples are provided in each chapter.
This book, which is based on Pólya's method of problem solving, aids students in their transition from calculus (or precalculus) to higher-level mathematics. The book begins by providing a great deal of guidance on how to approach definitions, examples, and theorems in mathematics. It ends by providing projects for independent study.
Students will follow Pólya's four step process: learn to understand the problem; devise a plan to solve the problem; carry out that plan; and look back and check what the results told them. Special emphasis is placed on reading carefully and writing well. The authors have included a wide variety of examples, exercises with solutions, problems, and over 40 illustrations, chosen to emphasize these goals. Historical connections are made throughout the text, and students are encouraged to use the rather extensive bibliography to begin making connections of their own. While standard texts in this area prepare students for future courses in algebra, this book also includes chapters on sequences, convergence, and metric spaces for those wanting to bridge the gap between the standard course in calculus and one in analysis.
Autor*in
Ulrich Daepp
Themen in »Reading, Writing, and Proving«
Algebra Arithmetic Cantor Cauchy–Bunyakovsky–Schwarz inequality Countable set Finite Problem solving Problem-solving calculus function mathematical induction mathematics proof theorem
Stimmen zu »Reading, Writing, and Proving«
From the reviews:
U. Daepp and P. Gorkin
Reading, Writing, and Proving
A Closer Look at Mathematics
"Aids students in their transition from calculus (or precalculus) to higher-level mathematics . . . The authors have included a wide variety of examples, exercises with solutions, problems, and over 40 illustrations."
—L'ENSEIGNEMENT MATHEMATIQUE
"Daepp and Gorkin (both, Bucknell Univ.) offer another in the growing genre of books designed to teach mathematics students the rigor required to write valid proofs … . The book is well written and should be easy for a first- or second- year college mathematics student to read. There are many ‘tips’ offered throughout, along with many examples and exercises … . A book worthy of serious consideration for courses whose goal is to prepare students for upper-division mathematics courses. Summing Up: Highly recommended." (J.R. Burke, CHOICE, 2003)
"The book Reading, Writing, and Proving … provides a fresh, interesting, and readable approach to the often-dreaded ‘Introduction to Proof’ class. … RWP contains more than enough material for a one-semester course … . I was charmed by this book and found it quite enticing. … My students found the overall style, the abundance of solved exercises, and the wealth of additional historical information and advice in the book exceptionally useful. … well-conceived, solidly executed, and very useful textbook." (Maria G. Fung, MAA online, December, 2004)
"The book is intended for undergraduate students beginning their mathematical career or attending their first course in calculus. … Throughout the book … students are encouraged to 1) learn to understand the problem, 2) devise a plan to solve the problem, 3) carry out that plan, and 4) look back and check what the results told them. This concept is very valuable. … The book is written in an informal way, which will please the beginner and not offend the more experienced reader." (EMS Newsletter, December, 2005)
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