The Beginnings and Evolution of Algebra

The plums in this collection are juicy, large and sweet. Honsberger has put together a set of mathematical delights written by some of the best expository writers of mathematics. There are ten different chapters and the titles and authors are as follows: *) "Chromatic Graphs", by H. L. Dorwat and D. T. Finkbeiner *) "How to Get (at least) a Fair Share of the Cake", by K. R. Rebman *) Some Remarkable Sequences of Integers", by R. P. Boas *) "Existence Out Of Chaos", by S. K. Stein *) "Some Surprises in Probability", by Ross Honsberger *) "Anomalous Calculation", by R. P. Boas *) "A Distorted View of Geometry", by G. D. Chakerian *) "Convergence, Divergence and the Computer", by R. P. Boas *) "Kepler's Conics", by Ross Honsberger *) "The Skewes Number", by R. P. Boas Written at a level that can be understood by the mathematically sophisticated high school student, these essays could also serve as fodder for college courses in mathematical history. If you are teaching a math class where you require your students to write a paper, then this is a good recommendation for quality, understandable source material.