Some years ago, "new math" took the country's classrooms by storm. Based
on the abstract, general style of mathematical exposition favored by
research mathematicians, its goal was to teach students not just to
manipulate numbers and formulas, but to grasp the underlying
mathematical concepts. The result, at least at first, was a great deal
of confusion among teachers, students, and parents. Since then, the
negative aspects of "new math" have been eliminated and its positive
elements assimilated into classroom instruction.In this charming volume, a noted English mathematician uses humor and anecdote to illuminate the concepts underlying "new math": groups, sets, subsets, topology, Boolean algebra, and more. According to Professor Stewart, an understanding of these concepts offers the best route to grasping the true nature of mathematics, in particular the power, beauty, and utility of pure mathematics. No advanced mathematical background is needed (a smattering of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry is helpful) to follow the author's lucid and thought-provoking discussions of such topics as functions, symmetry, axiomatics, counting, topology, hyperspace, linear algebra, real analysis, probability, computers, applications of modern mathematics, and much more.
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