How mathematics helped build the world's most important buildings from early Egypt to the present From the pyramids and the Parthenon to the Sydney Opera House and the Bilbao Guggenheim, this book takes readers on an eye-opening tour of the mathematics behind some of the world's most spectacular buildings. Beautifully illustrated, the book explores the milestones in elementary mathematics that enliven the understanding of these buildings and combines this with an in-depth look at their aesthetics, history, and structure. Whether using trigonometry and vectors to explain why Gothic arches are structurally superior to Roman arches, or showing how simple ruler and compass constructions can produce sophisticated architectural details, Alexander Hahn describes the points at which elementary mathematics and architecture intersect. Beginning in prehistoric times, Hahn proceeds to guide readers through the Greek, Roman, Islamic, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and modern styles. He explores the unique features of the Pantheon, the Hagia Sophia, the Great Mosque of Cordoba, the Duomo in Florence, Palladio's villas, and Saint Peter's Basilica, as well as the U.S. Capitol Building. Hahn celebrates the forms and structures of architecture made possible by mathematical achievements from Greek geometry, the Hindu-Arabic number system, two- and three-dimensional coordinate geometry, and calculus. Along the way, Hahn introduces groundbreaking architects, including Brunelleschi, Alberti, da Vinci, Bramante, Michelangelo, della Porta, Wren, Gaudí, Saarinen, Utzon, and Gehry. Rich in detail, this book takes readers on an expedition around the globe, providing a deeper understanding of the mathematical forces at play in the world's most elegant buildings.

Developed for the liberal arts math course by a seasoned author team,Mathematical Excursions,is uniquely designed to help students see math at work in the contemporary world. Using the proven Aufmann Interactive Method, students learn to master problem-solving in meaningful contexts. In addition, multi-partExcursionexercises emphasize collaborative learning. The text's extensive topical coverage offers instructors flexibility in designing a course that meets their students' needs and curriculum requirements. TheExcursionsactivity and correspondingExcursion Exercises,denoted by an icon, conclude each section, providing opportunities for in-class cooperative work, hands-on learning, and development of critical-thinking skills. These activities are also ideal for projects or extra credit assignments. TheExcursionsare designed to reinforce the material that has just been covered in the section in a fun and engaging manner that will enhance a student's journey and discovery of mathematics. The proven Aufmann Interactive Method ensures that students try concepts and manipulate real-life data as they progress through the material. Every objective contains at least one set of matched-pair examples. The method begins with a worked-out example with a solution in numerical and verbal formats to address different learning styles. The matched problem, calledCheck Your Progress,is left for the student to try. Each problem includes a reference to a fully worked out solution in an appendix to which the student can refer for immediate feedback, concept reinforcement, identification of problem areas, and prevention of frustration. Eduspace, powered by Blackboard, for the Aufmann/Lockwood/Nation/CleggMath Excursionscourse features algorithmic exercises and test bank content in question pools.

Challenging, accessible mathematical adventures involving prime numbers, number patterns, irrationals and iterations, calculating prodigies, and more. No special training is needed, just high school mathematics and an inquisitive mind. "A splendidly written, well selected and presented collection. I recommend the book unreservedly to all readers." — Martin Gardner.

A straightedge, compass, and a little thought are all that's needed to discover the intellectual excitement of geometry. Harmonic division and Apollonian circles, inversive geometry, hexlet, Golden Section, more. 132 illustrations.

This lively and accessible exploration of the nature of mathematics examines the role of the mathematician as well as the four major branches: number theory, algebra, geometry, and analysis.

This book explores the rich and elegant interplay between the two main currents of mathematics, the continuous and the discrete. Such fundamental notions in discrete mathematics as induction, recursion, combinatorics, number theory, discrete probability, and the algorithmic point of view as a unifying principle are continually explored as they interact with traditional calculus.