نامه‌هایی به یک ریاضیدان جوان (هنر راهنمایی)

Letters To A Young Mathematician Tells Readers What Ian Stewart Wishes He Had Known When He Was A Student. He Takes Up Subjects From The Philosophical To The Practical - What Mathematics Is And Why It's Worth Doing, The Relationship Between Logic And Proof, The Role Of Beauty In Mathematical Thinking, The Future Of Mathematics, How To Deal With The Peculiarities Of The Mathematical Community, And Many Others - In A Style That Combines Subtle, Easygoing Humor With A Talent For Cutting To The Heart Of The Matter--jacket. Why Do Math? -- How I Almost Became A Lawyer -- The Breadth Of Mathematics -- Hasn't It All Been Done? -- Surrounded By Math -- How Mathematicians Think -- How To Learn Math -- Fear Of Proofs -- Can't Computers Solve Everything? -- Mathematical Storytelling -- Going For The Jugular -- Blockbusters -- Impossible Problems -- The Career Ladder -- Pure Or Applied? -- Where Do You Get Those Crazy Ideas? -- How To Teach Math -- The Mathematical Community -- Pigs And Pick-up Trucks -- Pleasures And Perils Of Collaboration -- Is God A Mathematician? Ian Stewart. Includes Bibliographical References.

Inspiration and guidance for aspiring mathematicians

Publishers Weekly

This new entry in the Art of Mentoring series takes the form of letters from a fictitious mathematician to his niece. The letters span a period of 20 years, from the time the niece is thinking about studying mathematics in high school through the early years of her academic career. The format works wonderfully to introduce readers to the basics of the discipline of mathematics while providing a sense of what mathematicians actually do. Throughout, the prolific and talented Stewart (Does God Play Dice?), a British mathematician, entertains while educating. He explains how mathematics is so much more than mere calculations and how it's used in almost every facet of our lives. He also discusses the beauty mathematicians can find in the natural world, demonstrating that a focus on numbers and patterns can enhance rather than detract from an aesthetic appreciation of the environment. Stewart also does a superb job of examining the nature and value of both applied research and pure research, which, he shows, are not nearly as disparate as many think. Although the book must be read by anyone thinking about a career in mathematics, others simply interested in learning about the field and how mathematicians think will find it compelling reading. (Apr. 17) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

The first scientific entry in the acclaimed Art of Mentoring series from Basic Books, Letters to a Young Mathematician tells readers what Ian Stewart wishes he had known when he was a student and young faculty member. Subjects ranging from the philosophical to the practical — what mathematics is and why it's worth doing, the relationship between logic and proof, the role of beauty in mathematical thinking, the future of mathematics, how to deal with the peculiarities of the mathematical community, and many others — are dealt with in Stewart's much-admired style, which combines subtle, easygoing humor with a talent for cutting to the heart of the matter. In the tradition of G.H. Hardy's classic A Mathematician's Apology , this book is sure to be a perennial favorite with students at all levels, as well as with other readers who are curious about the frequently incomprehensible world of mathematics. Mathematician Ian Stewart tells readers what he wishes he had known when he was a student. He takes up subjects ranging from the philosophical to the practical-what mathematics is and why it’s worth doing, the relationship between logic and proof, the role of beauty in mathematical thinking, the future of mathematics, how to deal with the peculiarities of the mathematical community, and many others. Explores what it's really like to do mathematics. Part of the "Art of Mentoring" series, this work tells readers what the author wishes he'd known when he was a student. It deals with the subjects ranging from the philosophical to the practical such as what mathematics is and why it's worth doing, and the relationship between logic and proof Shares what the author wishes he had known when he was a student, such as the relationship between logic and proof, the function of beauty in mathematical thinking, and how to handle the peculiarities of the mathematical community.