How to Think Like a Mathematician

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

How to Think Like a Mathematician
AuthorKevin Houston
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
GenreMathematics
PublisherCambridge University Press
Publication date
12 February 2009
Media typePrint (Hardcover)
Pages274
ISBN978-052-171978-0

How to Think Like a Mathematician: A Companion to Undergraduate Mathematics is a book by Kevin Houston, a senior lecturer in mathematics at the University of Leeds. It was published in 2009 by Cambridge University Press.[1]

The book targets current and incoming undergraduate students of mathematics, and focuses on the mathematical language and techniques required for proof writing.[2][3]

Summary[edit]

The book is divided into five chapters:

  1. Study skills for mathematicians
  2. How to think logically
  3. Definitions, theorems and proofs
  4. Techniques of proof
  5. Mathematics that all mathematicians need

Reception[edit]

Michele Intermont of the Mathematical Association of America described the book as a "wonderful resource".[3] Franz Lemmermeyer [de] remarked that "the book is clearly written and contains suggestions and exercises from which not only undergraduates, but also highschool students can benefit".[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Houston, Kevin (2009). How to Think Like a Mathematician: A Companion to Undergraduate Mathematics. Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511808258. ISBN 978-0-521-89546-0. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  2. ^ Leversha, Gerry (July 2010). "Review of How to think like a mathematician". The Mathematical Gazette. 94 (530): 369–371. doi:10.1017/S0025557200006938. ISSN 0025-5572. JSTOR 25759706. S2CID 183890441. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Intermont, Michele (4 July 2009). "How to Think Like a Mathematician: A Companion to Undergraduate Mathematics". Mathematical Association of America. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  4. ^ Franz Lemmermeyer, zbMATH, Zbl 1158.00001

Further reading[edit]