1 comments about Advanced Euclidean Geometry (Dover Books on Mathematics).

1. Recently Dover has reissued two classics on Euclidean geometry, College Geometry: An Introduction to the Modern Geometry of the Triangle and the Circle (Dover Books on Mathematics) and this book by Johnson. Both books were originally issued in the first half of the 20th century and both were aimed at a college level audience. Both of them also have a considerable amount of so called triangle geometry. As triangle geometry has seen a large upsurge the last years there is certainly a need for an English book that gives an overview of the subject. These books are useful in this respect but are out of date. Until a modern treatment of the subject (The Triangle Book by Conway and Sigur for instance, but when when ... ?) will be available, these two books and the resources on the www will have to do. Altshiller Courts' book has a great set of exercises that can be used as a training ground for geometric problem solving. The problems in Johnsons' book mostly ask for proofs of theorems that are ommited in the text (that's why I give 4 stars). If you are interested in the subject, buy both, its certainly value for money.
   
   The book assumes that you are familiar with simple geometrical concepts like congruence of triangles, parallelograms, circles and the most elementary theorems and constructions as can be found in Kiselev's book Kiselev's Geometry / Book I. Planimetry.

5 comments about Precalculus (8th Edition).

1. why are the reviews for the 6th and 7th edition of this book the same? is there no difference between editions, such that reviews for the 6th should be kept for the 6th. the 7th edition might have changes that could cause some to review/change a viewpoint about its content. maybe at the core they are the same book/method, but it is overall a different book and the reviews should be kept edition specific.
   
   it is my opinion that amazon will not post this as it obviously not a review, but it my contention that the 8 posted are not reviews of this edition, either. why are they posted?
   



2. At the beginning I was a bit worried about the way the book explains the material. It seemed too simple for a book dealing with more complex subjects in math such as functions, trigonometry and analytic geometry. Then again it could be said that this quality is the one that makes the book such a joy to read.
   
   Not a single time did I felt lost or confused by the presentation. Most of the graphics and photos do supplement the explanation, and help the reader grasp the information better. One of the highlights, one that perhaps most people will miss, is the simple review questions at the beginning of each section. These little snippets of previous material force the reader to review those concepts that will be essential for further understanding.
   
   Every new section in the book is short and clear; thus reducing the amount of explanation, but at the same time maintaining just enough so that the reader will not feel lost in the many formulas and derivations. If this book does not get "5 starts" from my review it is only because it could be more mathematically rigorous by presenting more proofs. But by not doing so it increases the clarity and easy presentation the book possesses - great book well worth the price.



3. Precalculus (8th Edition) is a great textbook. A little on the heavy side (as in the weight of the book, need a wheel barrel to get it around).



4. This is my first time purchasing anything on Amazon.com. I was a bit skeptical and uncertain. I wondered if the book I ordered would arrive and if so, in what condition.
   I was pleasantly surprised when I received the package in the mail. When I opened it, I was alarmed that the book was in such good condition and everything that was mentioned about it was true.
   I purchased a few other books which arrived in the time specified that it would arrive and in the condition that was stated in the ad.
   I have no fear using this site to purchase other materials.



5. We requested the 6th Edition of Precalculus textbook by Sullivan, using an ISBN number for identification. The seller sent the 7th Edition which is NOT the same. I wrote him directly, told him of the error and requested returning the textbook, he responded that it was the correct one and he was not responsible. He suggested that I sell it on Amazon and that was my only recourse. I feel this is unethcial and very poorly handled. I will not purchase another textbook on Amazon after this experience.

2 comments about Pipe Fitter's Math Guide.

1. Very boring book. Only very basic pipefitting formulas and math. Good for first timers.



2. I stumbled across this book about 10 years ago in a trade publication. At that time craft training was imperiled by the decline of the trade unions in our area and I was searching for a tool to help bolster training for young and inexperienced employees. I strongly disagree with the previous review that states this book is very boring. Over the last ten years I have bought about 30 copies of the book. Basic math principles as they apply to the pipefitting trade are laid out very well and easy to understand. Also, the author does a really good job of laying out step by step, the proper way to use a scientific calculator when working trade math formulas.

5 comments about Algebra & Trigonometry (7th Edition).

1. This book has the solutions for the material presented in the book. The book has helped me alot. The only think I don't like about it, is that the book has to many practice exercises and too many pages.



2. I am 55 years old and promised myself that when I became financially able I would relearn Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Calculus I, II,III & IV and ODE skills from start to finish. I am now finished with Sullivan's book I have found the book easy to read and understand. The presenation of the material is well thought out and the abundance of practice problems invaluable. If you are serious about math then this is a great book.
   
   A retired hedge fund manager.



3. The product was never delivered. Vendor never responded to e-mail inquiry. I have filed a claim with Amazon.



4. The book arrived in about one week and is in excellent condition. I am very happy with the service.



5. When I purchased this book for college I was amazed on how excellent the condition was. Of course there's a pencil mark here or there, this book is practically new. So if you're looking for cheap, nice books amazon's by far the cheapest and has the fastest shipping time (fyi)!!!

4 comments about The Pythagorean Theorem: A 4,000-Year History.

1. The Pythagorean Theorem could rightfully be called the 'Crown Jewel of Mathematics'. For from its truths and intellectual spawn come all the wonders of our modern word--high rises, automobiles, cell phones, interplanetary probes, you name it! Unfortunately, the last serious book on this subject was written over 80 years ago by an Ohio school teacher, Elisha Loomis. Enter Dr. Eli Maor! He has written an absolutely marvelous book about 'The Crown Jewel' that will captivate anyone with a good high school mathematics background. Read it and behold a wonder!



2. Eli Maor is a fine mathematician who has produced some wonderful books on math topics for a general--well, let me say, educated--readership. His book, Trigonometric Delights, is my favorite. It is very interesting and engaging. I want to say "for an educated reader" again, though it seems rather redundant. Why would anyone who didn't know anything about trig and have an interest in the subject even bother to pick up the book? Still, as someone who spent more than ten years in high school math classrooms, I also found his work useful to interest and inspire my students (and myself).
   
   Since the class I taught most often was geometry, I was very happy to see this book on the Pythagorean theorem. I have to admit, as an avid reader on the subject, I was familiar with much of what's here; particularly, the historical development and the more "Euclidean" applications of the theorem. On the other hand, he developed some proofs and problems I hadn't seen before which I found quite interesting.
   
   Overall, however, I didn't find this book quite as engaging as some of his other work. I got the feeling he started off wanted to write a book that would have more universal appeal than some of his other titles. I mean, after all, nearly everyone knows what the Pythagorean theorem is, or has at least heard of it. But there wasn't nearly enough of the "simple" stuff and the last half of the book really goes quite far afield into mathematics without which someone without a pretty decent background in the subject will have a difficult time; particularly since the development is rather sparse in what feels like an aborted effort to keep things simple. Even some of the earlier demonstrations and proofs are a bit difficult if you don't have the background in Greek mathematics which, unfortunately, is often lacking these days.
   
   Still, as someone who loves geometry and has a pretty good background in it, I found much here to like. Any reader who feels confident in their mathematical ability will probably find much here to like too.



3. I loved e: the story of a number, both the story and the mathematics in it. But for some reason this book does not catch the same spirit. It doesn't have the exciting thread of a story that makes you want to turn to the next page, and the many different proofs make it feel like it's a patchwork of items forcing itself to support the topic rather than a natural inspiring thread that helps you see the growth in the mathematics. I found it disappointing.



4. XXXXX
   
   "To this day, the theorem of [Greek mathematician] Pythagoras [which states that the square of a right-angled triangle's longest side or hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides, written in the language of mathematics as (c^2 = a^2 + b^2) or, more commonly, (a^2 + b^2 = c^2)] remains the most important single theorem in the whole of mathematics. That seems like a bold and extraordinary thing to say, yet it is not extravagant; because what Pythagoras established is a fundamental characterization of the space in which we move, and it is the first time that it is translated to numbers...In fact, the numbers that compose right-angled triangles [called Pythagorean Triples such as (3,4,5), (28, 45, 53) and (65, 72, 97)] have been proposed as messages which we might send out to planets in other star systems a test for the existence of rational life there."
   
   The above quotation is found in this fascinating book authored by history of mathematics professor and author Eli Maor. (Note that the above quotation was not said by Maor.) It catches the importance of this deceptively simple theorem, a theorem children's writer Lewis Carroll (who was also a mathematician) called "dazzlingly beautiful."
   
   What did I learn from this book? Answer: there's a lot more to the Pythagorean theorem than (a^2 + b^2 = c^2)!! Maor may be the first author who has examined all the mathematics, history of mathematics, and physics books and collected just the material directly and indirectly related to the Pythagorean theorem.
   
   The result is that Maor has brought the long history of the Pythagorean theorem back to life. Sometime around 570 BCE Pythagoras proved (notice I said "proved" and not "discovered") a theorem about right triangles that made his name immortal. He also pondered the workings of the universe and tried to relate its workings to the laws of musical harmony. In the subsequent centuries, this theorem was used and developed by others such that it has become central to almost every branch of science, pure or applied. After twenty-five centuries, this theorem was expanded and thrust into four-dimensional space-time by Albert Einstein to formulate his own picture of the universe.
   
   Yes, there is simple mathematics in this book. To understand it, all you will need is some high school algebra and geometry and a bit of elementary calculus.
   
   Do you have to follow the mathematics found in this book? NO. Personally, I found that you could skim, even skip the mathematical parts and still not lose the essential flow of the main narrative. (Actually, the more difficult mathematics is relegated to the book's appendices.)
   
   Throughout the book are diagrams and even some pictures to enhance its main narrative. As well, there are eight pages of colour photographs found near the book's center.
   
   A feature of this book is that it contains "sidebars." These are brief sections (there are ten) found at the end of some chapters that usually focus on some aspect of the Pythagorean theorem. My two favourites have the following titles: "The Pythagorean Theorem in Art, Poetry, and Prose" and "Four Pythagorean Brainteasers." You don't have to read each sidebar.
   
   Another feature of this book is its chronology. It more or less summarizes the main events in this book in chronological order. This chronology begins in the year 1800 BCE and ends in the year 1996.
   
   Finally, a note on the book's cover picture (displayed above by Amazon). It shows the detail or "zooming in" of a beautiful larger 1649 picture called "Allegory of Geometry" by artist Laurent de la Hyre (displayed on this book's inside back flap). The book's cover picture zooms in on several geometric figures, the one on the top left showing Euclid's proof of the Pythagorean theorem.
   
   In conclusion, this book is essential for anyone that wants to be familiar with the four thousand year history of the Pythagorean theorem. I leave you with some actual lines from Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance:"
   
   "I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical,
   I understand equations, both simple and quadratic,
   About Binomial Theorem I'm teeming with a lot o'news,
   With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse."
   
   (first published 2007; list of colour plates; preface; prologue; 16 chapters; epilogue; main narrative 215 pages; 8 appendixes; chronology; bibliography; illustrations credits; index)
   
   <>
   
   XXXXX

2 comments about Platonic & Archimedean Solids (Wooden Books).

1. This is a charming little book. It's very concise, profusely illustrated, and it covers the basic geometry of platonic and archimedean solids. It delightfully summarizes the work of Plato/Theaetetus, Archimedes, Euclid, Kepler, and Euler in only 57 pages, half of which contain only illustrations. As a model-builder who attaches no special religious significance to polyhedra, I was a little concerned when I looked at the other books in the series that this book might be about "sacred geometry." Fortunately (at least from my point of view) it does not contain a word about it, except for a cursory reference to the elements Plato associated with each of the Platonic Solids. A table at the end includes the dihedral and central angles and edge/radius ratios for all the platonic and archimedean solids--all the info a model builder needs! This book won't impress anyone with a mathematics background, but for a layman like me, it's a perfect introduction. Kudos to Sutton for putting this material in such an elegant and accessible format!



2. I believe the Wooden Book series is just amazing. Great ideas, and reasy to understand.
   
   I read the book about the Harmonograph, but I believe this book is better.
   
   I really enjoyed learning about what the Platonic Solids are. I really enjoyed the simple proof to why there can only be fine Platonic Solids, too. That is amazing.
   
   My friends wanted me to shut up by the time I was finished with this book, because I talked about it so much. I used it for a College Geometry project, and it really helped.
   
   I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know about mathematical topics that not many people hear about, but at the same time, want an easy read.

5 comments about Geometry, Relativity and the Fourth Dimension.

1. Over two millenia ago, Euclid wrote his masterpiece Elements and stated in his fifth postulate that only one perpendicular line could pass through any one point adjacent to another line.
   
   One hundred fifty years ago, it was proven that yet another geometry could be described by asserting that more than one parallel line could pass through such a point.
   
   Building on these ideas, Rucker briefly yet thoroughly surveys the relevant mathematics outside the box of Euclidian geometry.
   
   It's a fascinating place too because it involves considerations of hyperspace, four dimensional travels and ultimately Einstein's theory of relativity.
   
   Copiously filled with illustrations to help drive home his points, Rucker has produced a book that meaningful helps one visualize and better understand the fourth dimension.
   
   This book is an excellent read along with Choas, Coincidences and All that Math Jazz, The Fourth Dimension Simply Explained, Einstein's own Relativity and Hyperspace by Michio Kaku which discusses all these ideas as well as contemporary string theory (which purports to pull it all together).



2. it is published years before but it is almost new for today and it explain dimensions and shape of space well and clearly .thanx to amazon for sending me timely.



3. This book has presented the most difficult topics of our world with the easiest words. After reading this book many of my questions that I had in my mind for a long time were answered. It's worth thousands more than its price.
   Congratulation to Mr. Rudolf Rucker for his great book.



4. To understand relativity, it is necessary to understand geometry, specifically how a straight line can be curved. For nearly everyone, any attempt to understand four-dimensional space begins with understanding how a three-dimensional creature would appear to a two-dimensional one. One of the earliest and still the greatest of all introductions to going up a dimension is "Flatland" by Edwin A. Abbott. Quite naturally and sensibly, Rucker starts with Abbott's rendition of the properties of Flatland.
   Rucker then moves on to the idea of curved space, where the shortest distance between two points is a "straight line", which is curved by the properties of the space. The space that we occupy is curved by the presence of matter, as Einstein claimed in his relativity theories. Furthermore, movement causes shrinkage in the direction of the movement and the slowing of time, which causes time to become just another dimension of space. As counterintuitive as this may appear, Einstein's relativity theory has been verified over and over again to a large number of significant figures.
   One of the best things about this book is that Rucker has included problems at the end of each chapter. These problems reinforce the concepts of the chapter; it is unfortunate that no solutions were included.
   In this book, Rucker steps the reader through all of the background material necessary to understand relativity and four-dimensional space. With few exceptions, the accounts are understandable to anyone with an understanding of college algebra.



5. I found the book to be both educational, in that I learned great deal about geomtery and the history of diemsions from this book, as well as being fun to read. Both interesting and intellectually stimulating--I find this combination rare. I recommend ths book to anyone interested in the field.

5 comments about Schaum's Outline of General Topology.

1. If you're taking a basic topology class (or any other abstract math class), it is usefull to have other books to reference. This book was only OK as a supliment. I found that you had to be careful the definitions, as some topologists will axiomize ideas differently (I found this happened the most when dealing with seperation axioms). I found that there are a few dover books out there that are a little more readable (Gemignani's, Mendelson's and Willard's books all come to my mind). This book won't hurt, but there are other options within it's price range.



2. The book is wonderful, recommends to all. Very good
   
   Geraldo Tavares -Campinas/SP- Brasil.



3. This is a good book. It gives all the prerequisite info in the first couple of chapters in a clear and easy to read, logical order. Good price, also.



4. This is an old and good book.
   It's so good that deserves be called "ADMIRAL TOPOLOGY".



5. When I was taking a master's level course in topology, the first three weeks were easy, a simple continuation of what I had had in set theory, logic and analysis. Then things executed a change in the negative direction. I was lost, puzzled by some of the expressions and the purpose of some of the theorems.
   In an attempt to right my mathematical ship, I went to the bookstore and purchased a copy of this book. It was money well spent, after a weekend working through some of the problems, I understood the ideas behind the theorems and was able to solve the problems given on the take-home tests. I received an A in the class and some of that is due to the example problems in this book.

2 comments about Dr. Math Presents More Geometry: Learning Geometry is Easy! Just Ask Dr. Math..

1. This is an interesting book to read through and gives clears information on the logic of proving or using various theorems. Information is separated into chapters on circles, triangles, quadrilaterals, etc. How much you will enjoy this book is probably dependent on how you want to use it. If you have a specific question you need help answering, it may not be of use to you unless you have time to skim through the appropriate chapter, and then you may or may not be lucky and find it. It is not intended to be a text and doesn't necessarily progress in that structured, complete form. It is a fun,math "read" with nice diagrams and clear explanations.



2. Will be using to assist students in HS Geometry as well as passing their state graduation exam.

No comments about Geometry: Concepts and Applications, Practice Workbook.