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Mathematics for the Nonmathematician| Media: | Paperback | | Author: | Morris Kline | | Publisher: | Dover Publications | | Release date: | 01 June, 1985 | | List price: | $14.95 |
| Our price: | $10.17 that is 32% off! |
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| Mathematics for the Nonmathematician |
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Average rating:  |
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A good book for those interested, but not inclined for Math |
MftN is a good book for those individuals who enjoy math and science, but who are not necessarily devoted to its study. I enjoyed the historical background and practical applications in math brought out by Kline (e.g., measuring the dimensions of the Earth).
Kline says that his book is intended for those liberal arts students who are not drawn to math. He tries to give those individuals the background and practical perspectives that will keep them interested. I believe he accomplishes this. I also believe that this type of story-teaching regarding mathematics could be useful for the science student as well.
Overall, the book is a very good read and one I highly recommend as long as you have the perserverance and desire to expand your knowledge of mathematics. If not, don't bother starting this book. |
| Mathematics for the Nonmathematician - Morris Kline |
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Still Useful |
| Though at times rather dated in tone, MftN is a solid introduction to the history and methods of mathematics. Emphasis on introduction. As Kline himself admits, MftN has little to say about the exceedingly complex history (let alone methods) of applied and pure mathematics in the last last hundred + years. An introduction of such sweeping scope would require several volumes. Kline does a superb job of explaining how mathematical thinking evolved from ancient times to the near present, before the veritable explosion of modern mathematics. His account is entertaining and informative and his explanations (of a fairly substantial quantity of mathematics) are lucid. MftN is in no way a substitute for the textbook study of mathematics, but it is a terrific introduction to such an undertaking. I imagine Kline was a superb classroom teacher back in the day. He is just as engaging today. I look forward to reading some of his other books, in particular his massive tome on the intuitive approach to calculus (a topic that is handled particularly well in MftN). |
| Morris Kline - Mathematics for the Nonmathematician |
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An Interesting Book |
| As an overview and introduction to the history and conceptual development of mathematics, this is a very interesting book. As a primer for anyone seeking to learn or brush up on these principles, it falls a bit short. I enjoy the history and Mr. Kline's development of this subject but I was looking more for an instructional book that would teach me these basics as it developed the ideas and history. While it's an interesting book, it falls short as a teaching device because:
1. Answers are not provided for all exercises and I had trouble confirming my understanding.
2. Important theorems and axioms that should be memorized are hidden in the text and should be marked in bold or marked out by a similar method so the reader can recognize and review them more quickly. |
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