Mathematics: A Human Endeavor

As usual, Harold Jacobs has written a book about the spirit of Mathematics. He invites the student into the world of discovery with tools like cartoons, experimental activities of small understandable pieces. The result is a student who begins to "like" math for the first time. I wish every student could study Basic Math, Geometry, and Algebra out of Jacobs' books.

Around 1976, Donald Knuth, a giant in computer science, then at Stanford, asked me how he could get hold of Mathematics: A Human Endeavor because he wanted to begin his son's education using it. He said that all computer science and mathematics was problem solving and he liked Jacobs's book because it engaged students immediately with interesting problems - ones that led somewhere. Knuth's hopes for the book were realized, and the one correction he noted was taken into account in the next edition. The Preface to this third edition is by Martin Gardner, who wrote the prefaces for the previous editions as well. Gardner begins with a quote from Ralph Boas, whose reply to someone who said to him "You make mathematics seem like fun" was "If it isn't fun, why do it?" Jacobs makes mathematics fun, and he shows you that it is useful as well. Yes, there are uses for otherwise dull computation. That is part of the power of mathematics. I am a mathematician. I taught a course at Bard College using this book. One of my students told me that her mother asked her what she was doing and she replied "Mathematics." Her mother replied, "You hate mathematics;" she replied, "Not anymore." Jacobs shows us that thoughtful writing that respects students and subject material can raise education to a higher level. Start here. Back your efforts with the Teacher's Guide, which is a rich resource. Then explore further. There is a marvelous world out there. And, yes, as you explore it you will learn to read, to write down your thoughts and conclusions, and to do arithmetic.

What's so truly impressive about Jacobs' book is the way in which he demonstrates that math is all around. His choice of subjects provides the reader with a broad introduction to the mathematical sciences, including geometry, probability, combinatorics, statistics, topology and more. More importantly, his examples and explanations make it relevant and fun.Jacobs' writing is clear (which cannot be said for many books on math at any level) and his organization sweeps the reader right along. Though technically a textbook, this is excellent reading for anyone who's interested in learning about math. I read it in junior high school, and have re-read bits and pieces as I progressed through college and graduate school. His subjects are complex enough to merit rethinking, yet his explanations clear enough to be grasped by the first time reader.Truly one of the great introductory math texts -- especially for those who think they don't need to know or can't understand math.

I'm a 36-year old homeschooling mother who had done calculus in high school and college, and mechanically got some right answers, but never knew why. I hadn't bothered to slow down and notice the beauty and power of the language of mathematics. In his textbook, Mathematics: A Human Endeavor, Harold Jacobs smashed my lack of confidence into a million pieces. He showers the student with so much real-life relevance and humor, that even a slight amount of curiosity about the subject bears delicous fruit. Working through this book will convince any human being, of almost any age, that he or she is a born mathematician.

I stumbled across this book when I was 17 whilst rummaging in my school library. It was too late for me to use it as my workbook but I enjoyed reading it nevertheless. My sole regret was that had I found it earlier than I might have had success in teaching my fellow students the joys of mathematics. The book is beautifully designed with gorgeous graphics to demonstrate mathematical ideas. There are also wonderful cartoons that people on this side of the Atlantic may never get to see otherwise. This is the book (with its companion "Geometry") that I give all my nephews/nieces on their 10th birthday so that they may not claim that they were deprived of good maths tuition.