Charming proofs [electronic resource] : a journey into elegant mathematics / Claudi Alsina, Roger B. Nelsen.
Alsina, Claudi.; Nelsen, Roger B.; Mathematical Association of America.
2010
QA9.54 .A57 2010eb
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Title Charming proofs [electronic resource] : a journey into elegant mathematics / Claudi Alsina, Roger B. Nelsen.
Author Alsina, Claudi.
ISBN 0883853485 (hbk.)
9780883853481 (hbk.)
9781614442011 (e-book)
Publication Details Washington, D.C. : Mathematical Association of America, c2010.
Language English
Description xxiv, 295 p. : ill.
Call Number QA9.54 .A57 2010eb
Dewey Decimal Classification 511.3/6
Summary "Theorems and their proofs lie at the heart of mathematics. In speaking of the purely aesthetic qualities of theorems and proofs, G. H. Hardy wrote that in beautiful proofs 'there is a very high degree of unexpectedness, combined with inevitability and economy'. Charming Proofs present a collection of remarkable proofs in elementary mathematics that are exceptionally elegant, full of ingenuity, and succinct. By means of a surprising argument or a powerful visual representation, the proofs in this collection will invite readers to enjoy the beauty of mathematics, to share their discoveries with others, and to become involved in the process of creating new proofs. Charming Proofs is organized as follows. Following a short introduction about proofs and the process of creating proofs, the authors present, in twelve chapters, a wide and varied selection of proofs they consider charming, Topics include the integers, selected real numbers, points in the plane, triangles, squares, and other polygons, curves, inequalities, plane tilings, origami, colorful proofs, three-dimensional geometry, etc. At the end of each chapter are some challenges that will draw the reader into the process of creating charming proofs. There are over 130 such challenges. Charming Proofs concludes with solutions to all of the challenges, references, and a complete index. As in the authors' previous books with the MAA (Math Made Visual and When Less Is More), secondary school and college and university teachers may wish to use some of the charming proofs in their classrooms to introduce their students to mathematical elegance. Some may wish to use the book as a supplement in an introductory course on proofs, mathematical reasoning, or problem solving"--Publisher's description.
Bibliography, etc. Note Includes bibliographical references (p. 275-287) and index.
Access Note Access limited to authorized users.
Added Author Nelsen, Roger B.
Added Corporate Author Mathematical Association of America.
Series Dolciani mathematical expositions ; no. 42
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A garden of integers
Distinguished numbers
Points in the plane
The polygonal playground
A treasury of triangle theorems
The enchantment of the equilateral triangle
The quadrilaterals' corner
Squares everywhere
Curves ahead
Adventures in tiling and coloring
Geometry in three dimensions
Additional theorems, problems, and proofs.

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