Creative Mathematics
A Gateway to Research

This book explains how to think like a mathematician, and provides good advice on how to become one.

Alan F. Beardon (Author)

9780521130592, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 21 December 2009

122 pages, 10 b/w illus.
21.1 x 14 x 1 cm, 0.16 kg

"This is an inspiring book."
Paul J. Campbell, Mathematics Magazine

How do mathematicians approach a problem, explore the possibilities, and develop an understanding of a whole area around it? The issue is not simply about obtaining 'the answer'; rather, Beardon explains that a mathematical problem is just one of many related ones that should be simultaneously investigated and discussed at various levels, and that understanding this is a crucial step in becoming a creative mathematician. The book begins with some good advice about procedure, presentation, and organisation that will benefit every mathematician, budding, teaching or practised. In the rest of the book, Beardon presents a series of simple problems, then, through discussion, consideration of special cases, computer experiments, and so on, the reader is taken through these same problems, but at an increasing level of sophistication and generality. Mathematics is rarely a closed book, and seemingly innocent problems, when examined and explored, can lead to results of significance.

Preface
Part I. Style and Presentation: 1. Solving problems
2. Writing mathematics
3. Giving a presentation
Part II. The Problems: 4. A first look at the problems
Part III. Solutions and More Problems
Part IV. Discussion and Generalisations
Index.

Subject Areas: Mathematics [PB]