Discovering mathematics: the art of investigation

Anthony Gardiner9780198532651, 0198532652, 0198532822

One of the most striking characteristics of mathematics is that thoughtful and persistent mathematical analysis often provokes totally unexpected insights into what may at first have looked like an uninteresting or intractable problem. This book gives students an opportunity to discover the nature and process of mathematics by developing their ability to investigate problems without relying on the standardized methods usually taught. The techniques required are elementary, allowing the student to concentrate on the way the material is explored and developed, and on the strategies for addressing questions whose answers are not immediately obvious. The book will challenge high school and college mathematics students as well as interested general readers.