Real-Life Math

Introduction "The universe cannot be read until we have learnt the language and become familiar with the characters in which it is written. It is written in mathematical language, and the letters are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without which means it is humanly impossible to comprehend a single word." Galilei, Galileo (1564-1642) Real-Life Math takes an international perspective in exploring the role of mathematics in everyday life and is intended for high school age readers. Because Real-Life Math (RLM) is intended for a younger and less mathematically experienced audience, the authors and editors faced unique challenges in selecting and preparing entries. Articles were constructed to contain material that might serve all students. For example, the article on Calculus is intended to be able to serve students taking Calculus, students finished with prerequisites and about to undertake their study of calculus, and students in basic math or algebra who might have an interest in the practical utility of studying of calculus. Real-Life Math challenges students on multiple levels and is designed to facilitate critical thinking and reading-in-context skills. The beginning student is not expected to understand more mathematically complex text dealing, for example, with the techniques for calculus and so should be content to skim through these sections as they read about the practical applications. As students progress through math courses, they will naturally appreciate greater portions of more advanced sections of articles. To be of maximum utility to students and teachers, most of the 80 topics found herein, arranged alphabetically by theory or principle, were predesigned to correspond to commonly studied fundamental mathematical concepts as stated in high school level curriculum objectives. However, as high school levels maths generally teach concepts designed to develop skills toward higher maths of greater utility this format sometimes presented a challenge with regard to articulating understandable or direct practical applications for fundamental skills without introducing additional concepts. It was difficult at times to isolate practical applications for fundamental concepts because it often requires more complex mathematical concepts to most accurately convey the true relationship of mathematics to our advancing technology. Although the authors of Real-Life Math include math teachers and professors, the bulk of the writers are practicing engineers and scientists who use math on a daily basis. However, Real-Life Math is not intended to be a book about real-life applications as used by mathematicians and scientists but rather, wherever possible, to illustrate and discuss applications within the experience and understandable to younger readers. Real-Life Math is intended to maximize readability and accessibility by minimizing the use of equations, example problems, proofs, etc. Accordingly, Real-Life Math is not a math textbook, nor is it designed to fully explain the mathematics involved in each concept. Rather, Real-Life Math is intended to compliment the mathematics curriculum by serving a general reader for maths by remaining focused on fundamental math concepts as opposed to the history of math, biographies of mathematicians, or simply interesting applications . To be sure, there are inherent difficulties in presenting mathematical concepts without the use of mathematical notation, but the authors and editors of Real-Life Math sought, whenever possible, to use descriptions and concepts instead of mathematical notation, problems, and proofs. The editors modestly hope that Real-Life Math serves to help students appreciate the scope of the importance and influence of math on everyday life. Real-Life Math will achieve its highest purposes if it intrigues and inspires students to continue their studies in mathematics. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, Editors London, U.K. October, 2005 Contributing editors K. Lee Lerner (scholar.harvard.edu/kleelerner) and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner's (scholar.harvard.edu/brendawilmothlerner) combined portfolio includes respected journalism, book, and media awards, including multiple RUSA Book and Media Awards, as well as books named Outstanding Academic Titles. They are cofounders of LMG (London, Paris, Cambridge) Additional information may be found at scholar.harvard.edu/kleelerner and scholar.harvard.edu/brendawilmothlerner CC BY-NC-ND otherwise ©LMG All Rights Reserved. Permission to republish this excerpt, with appropriate acknowledgments, is granted for academic use. Commercial use is strictly prohibited. Republished with permission of Cengage Gale.