Meaning in Mathematics

Meaning in Mathematics
Author: John Polkinghorne
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2011-05-19
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0191621897

Is mathematics a highly sophisticated intellectual game in which the adepts display their skill by tackling invented problems, or are mathematicians engaged in acts of discovery as they explore an independent realm of mathematical reality? Why does this seemingly abstract discipline provide the key to unlocking the deep secrets of the physical universe? How one answers these questions will significantly influence metaphysical thinking about reality. This book is intended to fill a gap between popular 'wonders of mathematics' books and the technical writings of the philosophers of mathematics. The chapters are written by some of the world's finest mathematicians, mathematical physicists and philosophers of mathematics, each giving their perspective on this fascinating debate. Every chapter is followed by a short response from another member of the author team, reinforcing the main theme and raising further questions. Accessible to anyone interested in what mathematics really means, and useful for mathematicians and philosophers of science at all levels, Meaning in Mathematics offers deep new insights into a subject many people take for granted.

Meaning in Mathematics Education

Meaning in Mathematics Education
Author: Jeremy Kilpatrick
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 267
Release: 2006-03-30
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0387240403

What does it mean to know mathematics? How does meaning in mathematics education connect to common sense or to the meaning of mathematics itself? How are meanings constructed and communicated and what are the dilemmas related to these processes? There are many answers to these questions, some of which might appear to be contradictory. Thus understanding the complexity of meaning in mathematics education is a matter of huge importance. There are twin directions in which discussions have developed—theoretical and practical—and this book seeks to move the debate forward along both dimensions while seeking to relate them where appropriate. A discussion of meaning can start from a theoretical examination of mathematics and how mathematicians over time have made sense of their work. However, from a more practical perspective, anybody involved in teaching mathematics is faced with the need to orchestrate the myriad of meanings derived from multiple sources that students develop of mathematical knowledge. This book presents a wide variety of theoretical reflections and research results about meaning in mathematics and mathematics education based on long-term and collective reflection by the group of authors as a whole. It is the outcome of the work of the BACOMET (BAsic COmponents of Mathematics Education for Teachers) group who spent several years deliberating on this topic. The ten chapters in this book, both separately and together, provide a substantial contribution to clarifying the complex issue of meaning in mathematics education. This book is of interest to researchers in mathematics education, graduate students of mathematics education, under graduate students in mathematics, secondary mathematics teachers and primary teachers with an interest in mathematics.

Numbers

Numbers
Author: Graham Flegg
Publisher: Courier Corporation
Total Pages: 307
Release: 2013-05-13
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0486166511

Readable, jargon-free book examines the earliest endeavors to count and record numbers, initial attempts to solve problems by using equations, and origins of infinite cardinal arithmetic. "Surprisingly exciting." — Choice.

Symbols and Meanings in School Mathematics

Symbols and Meanings in School Mathematics
Author: David Pimm
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 235
Release: 2002-11
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1134823665

This timely book explores the various uses and aspects of symbols in school mathematics and the notion of mathematical meaning. In addition, the author addresses a number of key issues for the 1990s eg.changes within mathematical functioning.

Perspectives on Practice and Meaning in Mathematics and Science Classrooms

Perspectives on Practice and Meaning in Mathematics and Science Classrooms
Author: D. Clarke
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2001-03-31
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9780792369394

This is a variegated picture of science and mathematics classrooms that challenges a research tradition that converges on the truth. The reader is surrounded with different images of the classroom and will find his beliefs confirmed or challenged. The book is for educational researchers, research students, and practitioners with an interest in optimizing the effectiveness of classrooms as environments for learning.

Meaning in Mathematics

Meaning in Mathematics
Author: John Polkinghorne
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2011-05-19
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 019960505X

Is mathematics invented or discovered? Why does this seemingly abstract discipline provide the key to unlocking the deep secrets of the physical universe? Famous mathematicians, mathematical physicists and philosophers of mathematics try to answer these questions in a series of accessible chapters that shed light on what mathematics really means.

What is Mathematics?

What is Mathematics?
Author: Richard Courant
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 596
Release: 1996
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 9780195105193

The teaching and learning of mathematics has degenerated into the realm of rote memorization, the outcome of which leads to satisfactory formal ability but not real understanding or greater intellectual independence. The new edition of this classic work seeks to address this problem. Its goal is to put the meaning back into mathematics. "Lucid . . . easily understandable".--Albert Einstein. 301 linecuts.

Wonders of Numbers

Wonders of Numbers
Author: Clifford A. Pickover
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 420
Release: 2003-01-16
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9780195348002

Who were the five strangest mathematicians in history? What are the ten most interesting numbers? Jam-packed with thought-provoking mathematical mysteries, puzzles, and games, Wonders of Numbers will enchant even the most left-brained of readers. Hosted by the quirky Dr. Googol--who resides on a remote island and occasionally collaborates with Clifford Pickover--Wonders of Numbers focuses on creativity and the delight of discovery. Here is a potpourri of common and unusual number theory problems of varying difficulty--each presented in brief chapters that convey to readers the essence of the problem rather than its extraneous history. Peppered throughout with illustrations that clarify the problems, Wonders of Numbers also includes fascinating "math gossip." How would we use numbers to communicate with aliens? Check out Chapter 30. Did you know that there is a Numerical Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? You'll find it in Chapter 45. From the beautiful formula of India's most famous mathematician to the Leviathan number so big it makes a trillion look small, Dr. Googol's witty and straightforward approach to numbers will entice students, educators, and scientists alike to pick up a pencil and work a problem.

Discrete Mathematics

Discrete Mathematics
Author: Oscar Levin
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 238
Release: 2018-07-30
Genre:
ISBN: 9781724572639

Note: This is a custom edition of Levin's full Discrete Mathematics text, arranged specifically for use in a discrete math course for future elementary and middle school teachers. (It is NOT a new and updated edition of the main text.)This gentle introduction to discrete mathematics is written for first and second year math majors, especially those who intend to teach. The text began as a set of lecture notes for the discrete mathematics course at the University of Northern Colorado. This course serves both as an introduction to topics in discrete math and as the "introduction to proof" course for math majors. The course is usually taught with a large amount of student inquiry, and this text is written to help facilitate this.Four main topics are covered: counting, sequences, logic, and graph theory. Along the way proofs are introduced, including proofs by contradiction, proofs by induction, and combinatorial proofs.While there are many fine discrete math textbooks available, this text has the following advantages: - It is written to be used in an inquiry rich course.- It is written to be used in a course for future math teachers.- It is open source, with low cost print editions and free electronic editions.