"Magical Mathematics reveals the secrets of amazing, fun-to-perform card tricks--and the profound mathematical ideas behind them--that will astound even the most accomplished magician. Persi Diaconis and Ron Graham provide easy, step-by-step instructions for each trick, explaining how to set up the effect and offering tips on what to say and do while performing it. Each card trick introduces a new mathematical idea, and varying the tricks in turn takes readers to the very threshold of today's mathematical knowledge. For example, the Gilbreath principle--a fantastic effect where the cards remain in control despite being shuffled--is found to share an intimate connection with the Mandelbrot set. Other card tricks link to the mathematical secrets of combinatorics, graph theory, number theory, topology, the Riemann hypothesis, and even Fermat's last theorem. Diaconis and Graham are mathematicians as well as skilled performers with decades of professional experience between them. In this book they share a wealth of conjuring lore, including some closely guarded secrets of legendary magicians. Magical Mathematics covers the mathematics of juggling and shows how the I Ching connects to the history of probability and magic tricks both old and new. It tells the stories--and reveals the best tricks--of the eccentric and brilliant inventors of mathematical magic. Magical Mathematics exposes old gambling secrets through the mathematics of shuffling cards, explains the classic street-gambling scam of three-card monte, traces the history of mathematical magic back to the thirteenth century and the oldest mathematical trick--and much more"-
Fool your friends; baffle your buddies; and perplex your parents with dozens of amazing tricks. Each of these fascinating feats appears to be the work of magical forces, but their true secret lies in mathematical manipulations. Correctly guess the age of any volunteer. Startle a stranger with knowledge about his or her life. Read minds, make accurate predictions, perform lightning-quick calculations, and demonstrate seemingly mystical powers of memory. Perform extraordinary effects with cards, dice, pencil and paper (and occasionally a calculator). In all of these tricks, the mathematical principle is well-concealed, and in many of them the use of numbers isn't even suspected. For each trick, an explanation of why it works is included in order to help you better understand the principle behind it, as well as to enable you to make your own variations on the trick or to develop other tricks on your own. Suggestions are given for what to say when introducing a trick so as to heighten suspense, increase sur prise, and keep your audience as confounded as possible. No sleight of hand is used, but with your brain power as your "magic wand," you'll have fun entertaining, amazing, and confusing people for hours. 96 pages, 51 b/w illus., 5 3/8 x 8 1/4. NEW IN PAPERBACK
Properties aren’t magic! They are special rules that numbers follow so you can solve problems quickly in your head. Using detailed instructions and rhythmic text, students gain understanding of when and how to use mathematical properties. This book will allow students to apply properties of operations as a strategy to add and subtract, or multiply and divide.
The author of The Joy of Mathematics explores the mathematics of nature, literature and art. This fascinating look at the surprising ways mathematics influences the everyday world takes an abstract universe and anchors it to the "real" worlds of science, history and the arts in an intriguing way. Photos and line drawings.
Karl Smith's loyal customers adopt his book for its clear writing, its coverage of historical topics, selection of topics, level, exercise sets (featuring great applications problems), and emphasis on problem solving. Since the First Edition of Smith's text was published, thousands of liberal arts students have "experienced" mathematics rather than just doing problems. Smith's writing style gives students the confidence and ability to function mathematically in their everyday lives. The emphasis on problem solving and estimation, along with numerous in-text study aids, encourages students to understand the concepts while mastering techniques.
Some 500 trade books are reviewed and rated with a star system, and include indication of grade level (1-6) as well as indication whether they are single- or multiconcept. Some out-of-print titles are included because of their exceptional content. Entries are arranged by subject, e.g. early number concepts, number extension and connections, measurement, and geometry and spatial sense. Indexing is by author and title; a grade level index would have been useful. Published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1906 Association Dr., Reston, VA 22091-1593. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Publisher: National Council of Teachers of English
ISBN: UCSC:32106017365716
Category: Mathematics
Page: 310
View: 141
This collection of articles and lessons provides classroom examples of how to use children's literature to teach mathematics effectively in prekindergarten through eighth grade. The articles focus on five content strands-number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement and data analysis and probability-and describe how the different authors have used specific books to help their students learn mathematics. Most of the articles involve communication, problem solving, representation and reasoning and some of them address connections. Helpful teacher notes indicate the grade range, topic, literature selection featured in the lesson, materials needed, discussion of the mathematics and questions for students. Blackline masters of recording sheets are also included for most lessons.
