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A Mathematician's Lament

How School Cheats Us Out of Our Most Fascinating and Imaginative Art Form
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( 3,523 ratings, 472 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Mathematician's Lament is a passionate critique of current mathematics education by Paul Lockhart, a research mathematician turned K-12 teacher. Lockhart reveals mathematics as a creative and beautiful discipline, challenging anxiety-inducing traditional teaching methods. His witty and accessible approach encourages educators and parents to rethink how math is taught, promoting a vision of maths as an art form rather than a rote exercise.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for educators, parents, and anyone passionate about improving or rethinking mathematics education. It particularly suits those interested in engaging young learners and promoting creativity within the subject.

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A brilliant mathematician's manifesto for freeing math from the drudgery of traditional teaching

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

One of the best critiques of current mathematics education I have ever seen. - Keith Devlin, math columnist on NPR's Morning Edition

A brilliant research mathematician who has devoted his career to teaching kids reveals math to be creative and beautiful and rejects standard anxiety-producing teaching methods. Witty and accessible, Paul Lockhart's controversial approach will provoke spirited debate among educators and parents alike and it will alter the way we think about math forever.

Paul Lockhart has taught mathematics at Brown University and UC Santa Cruz. Since 2000, he has dedicated himself to K-12 level students at St. Ann's School in Brooklyn, New York.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

"One of the best critiques of current K-12 mathematics education I have ever seen," praises Keith Devlin, NPR's 'Math Guy'. The Los Angeles Times calls the book "gorgeous" and highlights Lockhart's passion, while the Notices of the American Mathematical Society describes it as "searing and pointed" yet "an easy, thoughtful, and entertaining read." Publishers Weekly notes it "provides a fresh way of thinking about math," and Bryan Bunch, author of The Kingdom of Infinite Number, recommends it for anyone interested in mathematics education. The book also offers "a charming rant against the way you and I learned the subject."

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781934137178

Publisher: Bellevue Literary Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 May 2009

Country: United States

Imprint: Bellevue Literary Press

Illustration: Illustrations

Contributors:

  • Foreword by Keith Devlin

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 12.0mm

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 190.0mm

Weight: 155g

Pages: 144

About the Author

Paul Lockhart dropped out of college after one semester to devote himself exclusively to math. Based on his own research he was admitted to Columbia University where he received his PhD. The author of Arithmetic, Measurement, and A Mathematician's Lament, he has taught mathematics at Brown University, University of California, Santa Cruz, and to K-12 level students at St. Ann's School in Brooklyn, New York.

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