Expanding Mathematical Toolbox: Interweaving Topics, Problems, and Solutions offers several topics from different mathematical disciplines and shows how closely they are related. The purpose of this book is to direct the attention of readers who have an interest in and talent for mathematics to engaging and thought-provoking problems that should help them change their ways of thinking, entice further exploration and possibly lead to independent research and projects in mathematics. In spite of the many challenging problems, most solutions require no more than a basic knowledge covered in a high-school math curriculum.

To shed new light on a deeper appreciation for mathematical relationships, the problems are selected to demonstrate techniques involving a variety of mathematical ideas. Included are some interesting applications of trigonometry, vector algebra and Cartesian coordinate system techniques, and geometrical constructions and inversion in solving mechanical engineering problems and in studying models explaining non-Euclidean geometries.

This book is primarily directed at secondary school teachers and college professors. It will be useful in teaching mathematical reasoning because it emphasizes how to teach students to think creatively and strategically and how to make connections between math disciplines. The text also can be used as a resource for preparing for mathematics Olympiads. In addition, it is aimed at all readers who want to study mathematics, gain deeper understanding and enhance their problem-solving abilities. Readers will find fresh ideas and topics offering unexpected insights, new skills to expand their horizons and an appreciation for the beauty of mathematics.

About the Author

Boris Pritsker studied mathematics at Kiev State Pedagogical University, Ukraine, then worked as a math teacher in high schools, including a special math-oriented school for gifted and talented students with advanced programs in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. In the US, he earned an MBA degree from the Graduate school of Baruch College, City University of New York. He is a licensed CPA in New York State and has been employed by CBIZ Marks Paneth LLC, New York City accounting and consulting firm, where he became a director. He published numerous articles and problems in mathematical magazines in the former Soviet Union, United States, Australia, and Singapore. He is also the author of three internationally acclaimed mathematics books.

Reviews

This is a collection of mathematical theory and exercises organized in chapters, each one devoted to a different topic (geometrical constructions, Euclidean vectors, inequalities, trigonometry, etc.). The format of each chapter is a general introduction about the topic including some theory followed by a, usually short, problem formulation, and an extensive discussion of the solution which may include more theory and proofs, triggering new exercises etc. Emphasis is on the interaction of topics that are usually treated separately in classical text books. The assumed mathematical knowledge of the reader is at the level of secondary schools or beginning university.
The problems can look astonishingly difficult at first sight, baffling the reader. Applying straightforward methods, is usually not the way to solve them. The proposed solution may illustrate some clever trick that makes the problem easy to solve. So the problem formulation is supposed to trigger curiosity and stimulate to look for the appropriate key to crack it. The diversity of the topics and the kind of problems, gives it the allure of a puzzle book. Thinking outside the box and recognizing patterns is often more important than the mathematical prerequisites. The latter are provided anyway, including proofs, either in the solution or in the appendix. There are also excursions beyond the exercises, like for example a short introduction to non-Euclidean geometry.
So this is an unusual mixture of theory and exercises. The latter are certainly not of the drilling type, some even reach the level of mathematical Olympiads. Most problems have some geometrical aspect, even the algebraic ones, because these problems are easier to understand by a general public. This implies that calculus and analysis are more in the background. It is an excellent book to prepare for mathematics Olympiads, and teachers may find here inspiration for their lessons.

Reviewer: Adhemar Bultheel (Leuven)

MSC:00A09Popularization of mathematics51-01Introductory exposition (textbooks, tutorial papers, etc.) pertaining to geometry

Keywords:geometry; algebraic geometry; trigonometry; Euclidean vector space; puzzles; math Olympiad; inequalities

Book Information
ISBN 9781032417387
Author Boris Pritsker
Format Hardback
Page Count 206
Imprint Chapman & Hall/CRC
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 720g