Customer Reviews (1)

my favorite math book of all time!
Gillett's love of mathematics and his love of teaching shine forth in this book.

His narrative is conversational and easy to follow. He motivates new ideas with both historical context and conceptual considerations. He helps the reader to see math as a living and historical process, rather than a fixed body of facts. His style--for instance, asking questions at key junctures to prod the reader's own thinking--invites the reader to join in the adventure of discovery.

He opens every chapter with insightful quotations on math, the universe, and everything from a broad constellation of luminaries--from Newton, to Whitehaed, to Einstein, to Twain, to Plato, to Whitehead...

The proofs are excellent and easy to follow. More technical or difficult ones are placed at the end of the section so as to not interrupt the flow of ideas.

The illustration are appropriate and ample.

Exercises are a good mix of computations and theory. My favoritesare the multipart puzzles that he guides the reader to explore and, with effort, conquer. I still recall the proof, using double integrals, that int(e^(-x^2))[0 to infty] = sqrt(pi)/2...

I still have my copy from 20 years ago when I first learned calculus! The book is that good! ... Read more

Product Description
Riemannian geometry has today become a vast and important subject. This new book of Marcel Berger sets out to introduce readers to most of the living topics of the field and convey them quickly to the main results known to date. These results are stated without detailed proofs but the main ideas involved are described and motivated. This enables the reader to obtain a sweeping panoramic view of almost the entirety of the field. However, since a Riemannian manifold is, even initially, a subtle object, appealing to highly non-natural concepts, the first three chapters devote themselves to introducing the various concepts and tools of Riemannian geometry in the most natural and motivating way, following in particular Gauss and Riemann. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Wonderful overview!

Excellent exposition of a wide variety of topics in geometry for the non-expert like me. It helped me get a better grasp of a number of differential geometric structures that are used in theoretical physics these days, without having to wade through a bunch of proofs. The list of references is immense, so that the reader can follow up with more detailed, and more rigorous, material for topics of choice. Highly recommended for mathematicians and physicists alike.

A superb, rigorous overview of the topic, but without the proofs
This is a beautifully written survey of a wide swath of modern mathematics and mathematical physics related to Riemannian geometry.For a non-expert, like me, it allowed me to get a broad perspective on the field without having to struggle through so many proofs.The explanations are clear and rigorous (two goals which are frequently in conflict).There is a vast bibliography as well.A number of problems I was familiar with in other contexts turn out to have unplumbed (by me at least) geometrical significance. All in all, a wonderful book.

A fine book.
This book is a good reference for anyone who wants to know about the development of riemannian geometry. It covers many active topics in modern differential geometry for every graduated students who can choose some interested fields for the thesis. ... Read more

Product Description
The effects of geometry and linear algebra on each other receive close attention in this examination of geometry’s correlation with other branches of math and science. In-depth discussions include a review of systematic geometric motivations in vector space theory and matrix theory; the use of the center of mass in geometry, with an introduction to barycentric coordinates; axiomatic development of determinants in a chapter dealing with area and volume; and a careful consideration of the particle problem. 1965 edition.
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Customer Reviews (7)

Geometric Overview of Core Math and Physics +++
This book presents a wonderful geometric overview of core math and physics. It is equally great for a preview or review of core math and physics. This work is done with attention to learning such core topics via a unifying and clarifying approach. Via this approach someone learns about a vector space approach to geometry via great cross-magnification of the illustrative sub-topics. I finally feel I clearly see the various sub-topics via the illumination of vector space geometry. But there is more -- physics methods, such as center-of-mass, are used directly [as primary mathematics] to magnify vector space geometry from the start. The notation is also clear and sharp as well as the mathematics presentation and the order of the chapters and topics. This is quite a unique timeless work +++

A bit longwinded
I didn't find this book to read like a novel.I got it hoping to learn about projective transformations for computer graphics, but was disappointed because of the method of presentation was too long to get through.I believe the text would appeal to those whose interest was strongly in geometry and had a college level background in math. I gave it three stars for the seemingly interminable proofs of geometric theorems that I had little use for.

Must have if on the road to Linear Algebra
This is one beautiful book. The whole book is one long thread about geometry and vectors. To make this review short, I'll say you absolutely *must* have this book if you want to set yourself on the proper track to Linear Algebra. In fact, this book could almost be considered an Analytic Geometry book 'done right.' But be careful: I said almost. By that I mean that some staple AG stuff is missing. For instance, no long discussions about a plane intersecting a sphere, no quadric surfaces. So it does lack the sort of drill exercises you need to succeed in an AG class - but such stuff is not its purported goal, anyway -but then again, your 'vector 6th sense' will increase tremendously with this book. I wish I had discovered this book while I was having my Analytic Geometry. Now I'm taking a Linear Algebra class and I'm glad I found this book.
It also is full of other interesting insights and relations to other topics, including some applications to Calculus (motion) and some topology.

A useful High School Geometry book for Computer Graphics
This is essentially a high school geometry book; but with a difference - its fully linear algebra based approach.If you are a beginner in computer graphics, and want to review elements of geometry and linear algebra, you will benefit from studying through this book.

The almost four hundred pages book is remarkably readable and is very consistent at that.There are both worked out examples and exercise problems, for each section - which are very useful for self-study or revision.

If you have never had an introduction to linear algebra before, you may have to supplement this with a linear algebra book.But if you have not had a good course in elementary geometry, and your motivation is getting started with elementary Computer Graphics/CAD and the likes, this is a good book for that.

Interspersed with the subject matter discussed at a elementary level, in a useful, stimulating style are small, interesting discussions on such useful and relatively advanced topics as function spaces, fixed point theorem in affine transformation, simplices, symmetries etc.I rarely have seen any of these topics mentioned in a book aimed at this level.

Highly recommended for freshman undergraduates and those without any mathematics experience who want to start in Graphics, CAD, CAGD and the likes.Recommended also for experienced practitioners in Graphics: it is good to review the fundamentals once in a while, and a well written bookthat is a quick read helps at that!

Perfect for first and second year, or physicists
The basics of the very deep connection between geometry and vector spaces. If you do undergrad math you will see everything in this book during first and second year. But what this book does is fit those bits together. He does this very nicely at an introductory level. If you are not in math, but need to learn some geometryfor a physics course, this will be a useful book.

It is a formal math book, with axioms, but it is strong on motivation and has some quite amusing examples.

Keywords: tangent spaces, determinants, barycentric, linear transformations. ... Read more

Product Description
This text updates the teaching of college geometry based upon three fundamental ideas: geometries only approximate reality; the best presentation of a geometry is by transformation groups; and points and other geometric objects should be co-ordinated. The work is designed to be engaging and accessible, and it describes geometry as it is understood and used by contemporary mathematicians and theoretical scientists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Simply Enlightening.
This book is accessible to any serious undergraduate, and has thepotential, I think, of improving the intellectual lives of itsstudents.

I have just finished my first read and have worked only a fewof the problems, but I promise you one thing: this book will take you fromEuclid to Kant, from the ordinary to the exotic, and you will enjoy theride. After turning the last page, you will look up to a universe moregrand than before.

As my math studies went from the earlier to theslightly more sophisticated, I often felt that something was missing, and Ihad to work really hard to compensate for those gaps. This book maintainsits continuity throughout. It is articulate and coherent. It maintains whatI like to call a "logical continuum."

I recommend it. I hopeyou enjoy it as much as I am. (And no, I have no connection with theauthor.:) ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Geometry & Trigonometry for Calculus By Peter H. Selby If you need geometry and trigonometry as a tool for technical work … as a refresher course … or as a prerequisite for calculus, here’s a quick, efficient way for you to learn it! With this book, you can teach yourself the fundamentals of plane geometry, trigonometry, and analytic geometry … and learn how these topics relate to what you already know about algebra and what you’d like to know about calculus. You’ll work your way through geometry, numerical trigonometry, methods of trigonometric analysis, analytics, and limits—all the way up to the "front door" of calculus. Geometry and Trigonometry for Calculus is one of the Wiley Self-Teaching Guides. It’s been tested, rewritten, and retested until we’re sure you can teach yourself the concepts of geometry and trigonometry. And it’s programmed—so you work at your own pace. No prerequisites are needed. Objectives and self-tests tell you how you’re doing and allow you to skip ahead or find extra help if you need it. Frequent reviews and practice exercises reinforce what you learn. Wiley Self-Teaching Guides Astronomy, Moche Basic Physics, Kuhn Chemistry: Concepts and Problems, Houk How to Succeed in Organic Chemistry, Gordon Basic Electricity, Ryan Electronics, Kybett Ecology, Sutton Energy for Life, Allamong Plant Anatomy, Stevenson Quick Medical Terminology, Smith Human Anatomy, Ashley Dental Anatomy and Terminology, Ashley Math Skills for the Sciences, Pearson Thinking Metric, 2nd ed., Gilbert Using Graphs and Tables, Selby Geometry and Trigonometry for Calculus, Selby Quick Calculus, Kleppner BASIC, 2nd ed., Albrecht BASIC for Home Computers, Albrecht ANS COBOL, 2nd ed., Ashley Structured COBOL, Ashley Fortran IV, Friedmann, Greenberg & Hoffberg ATARI BASIC, Albrecht TRS-80 BASIC, Albrecht Job Control Language, Ashley Flowcharting, Stern Introduction to Data Processing, 2nd ed., Harris Background Math for a Computer World, Ashley Probability, Koosis Statistics, 2nd ed., Koosis Finite Mathematics, Rothenberg Practical Algebra, Selby Quick Arithmetic, Carman Math Shortcuts, Locke Study Skills: A Student’s Guide for Survival, Carman Psychological Research: How to Do It, Quirk Psychology of Learning, Royer Choosing Success: TA on the Job, Jongeward Successful Time Management, Ferner Communication for Problem Solving, Curtis Skills for Effective Communication, Becvar Clear Writing, Gilbert Punctuation, Markgraf Vocabulary for Adults, Romine Spelling for Adults, Ryan Reading Skills, Adams Art: As You See It, Bell Your Library —What’s in It for You? Lolley Quickhand, Grossman Quick Typing, Grossman Consumer Math, Locke ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Great book!
I bought this book as a `running start'and refresher for college level math classes. The book was very easy to follow and, as a person who is NOT math savvy in any way, was never fustrated or confused.Thiswas a great book and recommend it to anyone. I would have bought the book new Vs used had I known there were so many opportunities to work the problems in the book. With the problems already worked out the challenge wasn't there BUT was found helpful when I was stuck.

Calculus prep - or Precalc review
This particular calculus study guide is clearly oriented for those whom are considering engineering or science related fields as business calculus will have less of a need of geometry and trigonometry. For those whom are interested in engineering/science fields and struggled a bit in geometry or trig, then this text can be a great support to have by your side during your precalc class OR for self-study/review after precalc and before calculus.

Indeed, there are several circumstances in which this self-study text can be used.

1) If you are in precalculus and struggling and wondering what parts are really important for calculus next year/semester.

2) If you took precalculus last year/semester and want a study guide (besides your old textbook) to get ready for Calculus.Indeed, for high school students this may be a great summer book to work through after precalc to assure you're ready for Calculus.

3) If you took precalc many years ago and want a refresher, or even if you took Calculus 1 many years ago and want to review the prerequisites prior to refreshing your calculus.

There is a final chapter on Limits which will be covered in the start of Calculus 1 and which can probably be skipped. There is a stronger emphasis on "focus" and "foci" than in many precalc books so this may make some students think, "Why didn't my teacher cover this?" Also, there's a trig table... just remember the book was originally published in 1975 and so a couple of emphases are now slightly different but overall the value of the text remains high as a supplement.

READ HERE FOR DETAILS
This book is excellent. I don't believe that I can find anything wrong with this book.

Some readers are saying that this book has too small of a font, or that the binding is loose, or that the book offers little in explanations to the awnsers for the practice problems. These are simply false. The font is a size twelve by most computer's standard font, if you can't see that small get glasses. If some books are falling apart stop throwing them or bending the spine. The explanation part is true in that the book doesn'tsay things like "the reason this is the awnser is..." However, I feel that the explanation of how geometry works and what it's rules are, is sufficient for the reader to analyse why the awnser is what it is. If you cannot do this it may be adviseable to bring the problem in question to a friend or teacher knowledgeable in geometry (I mean this in the kindest of manners).

Over all the book is clear and quick to the point. Some people may find it a bit dry in that there is no humor really or any stories, strictly instructional. Some may find it difficult to remember things this way or to read a book written in such a manner.

This book is written so that a reader who has no knowledge about geometry can understand it.

Overall a five star book and worth the price and then some.

(Please forgive anything mispelled I didn't have time to check this review.)

good as a companion only
If you want to test your knowledge of geometry and trig after reading another text book, this is good.However, this is not a standalone book.It offers problems and answers, but very little in examples and explanations of why.

Unless you want a refresher, I'd go somwhere else, maybe a dummies or idiots guide instead.

There aren't enough exercises..
The best and most enjoyable way to learn math is through practice, and although Peter H. Selby articulately explains the concepts presented in this book, there just aren't enough exercises for you to "teach yourself" the subject.A given section on plane geometry will give you about 15 abstract principles followed by 5 easy practice exercises.I have learned from this book, but in order to do so, I've had to make flashcards and do lots and lots of rereading to help me memorize the vocabulary and rules.This book would be okay for someone who just needs a quick refresher, but if you really want to learn the material, I would suggest buying separate 350-400 page books for each subject. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume is an attempt to provide an overview of some of the recent advances in representation theory from a geometric standpoint. A geometrically-oriented treatment is very timely and has long been desired, especially since the discovery of D-modules in the early '80s and the quiver approach to quantum groups in the early '90s.

The first half of the book fills the gap between the standard knowledge of a beginner in Lie theory and the much wider background needed by the working mathematician. Thus, Chapters 1-3 and 5-6 provide some basics in symplectic geometry, group actions on Kahler manifolds and Borel--Moore homology, geometry of semisimple groups, equivariant algebraic K-theory "from scratch," topology and algebraic geometry of flag varieties and conjugacy classes, respectively.

The material covered by Chapters 5 and 6 (as well as most of Chapter 3) has never been presented in book form. Chapters 3-4 and 7-8 form the heart of the book, presenting a uniform approach to representation theory of three quite different objects: (1) Weyl groups; (2) Lie algebra sln; (3) Iwahori--Hecke algebra. The results of Chapters 4 and 8 are new, with complete proofs, not to be found elsewhere in the literature. The techniques developed are quite general and can be successfully applied to such other areas of mathematics, as Quantum groups, affine Lie algebras, and quantum field theory. The exposition is practically self-contained and each chapter potentially serving as a basis for a graduate course. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a nice blend of mathematics
it's not at all easy-going, but admittedly, it is probably the best way to learn some of the most stimulating and illuminating interactions between representation theory, symplectic geometry, algebraic geometry, and algebra;
a nice compliment to this book is 'symplectic fibrations and mutliplicity diagrams' by Guillemin et al.

other perspectives in ring theory from a geometricpoint of view (which could serve as yet another compliment) is Broho's 'nilpotent orbits, primitive ideals and characteristic classes'

no doubt, the advanced graduate student and professional mathematician would do well in, at least, taking a peek at the contents and theextensive introduction to whet his appetite and peak his curiousity! ... Read more

Product Description
"Calculus" by Larson, Hostetler and Edwards is the only calculus text ever to increase its sales and market share in each edition through seven editions. It has achieved this unique success by providing an evolving range of conceptual, technological and creative tools that enable professors to teach the way they want to teach and students to learn the way they learn best. Every edition of the book has upheld the mastery of traditional calculus skills while embracing the best features of new technology and when appropriate, calculus reform ideas. The Larson Calculus Program offers a variety of options to address the needs of any calculus course and any level of calculus student. The Larson/Hostetler/Edwards team is the only one to publish a two-semester "Calculus I" with Precalculus text and a traditional "Calculus" text. This combination enables the greatest number of students to succeed in calculus. In addition, the technology components of this program have been greatly enhanced. This new edition also includes expanded text-specific videos that offer more coverage across all three semesters of calculus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

where's my book???
I was charged and informed that the textbook was shipped. Waited for weeks and then received a personal check from the so-called "seller". I thought I ordered the book from Amazon.com but why did this person got the order from me? He was nice to send me the check, BUT I was charged for $26.95 for the book and the shipment.What happened to my other portion of the money??? And not to mention about the time I waited looking forward to have the book.

The service is excellent!
I'm very happy with the books. I needed two of the same books and ordered one from Better World Books and one fromthree other book stores as I didn't expect one seller to have more than one book. The other book stores cancelled my orders. How do they advertise something, sell it and then tell me they forgot to take down the advertisement? I had to look again and again for the other book. I found it at Berrer World Books and placed the order again! These books are in great condition(they look new). Thank you Better World Books for your prompt service and two great books.

Calculus With Analytic Geometry Review
Although it is quite an old edition, Mathematics has not changed that much in the past years. Great quality and very useful

Just as good as the eighth edition at a fraction of the cost.
Don't buy the eighth edition of this book. Save your money and buy the 7th edition. Most of the problems are the exact same with the exception of a few.

Couldnt ask for more
$7 for a brand new book with a CD,I could not ask for more. ... Read more

Product Description
Ideal for mathematics majors and prospective secondary school teachers, Euclidean and Transformational Geometry provides a complete and solid presentation of Euclidean geometry with an emphasis on how to solve challenging problems.The author examines various strategies and heuristics for approaching proofs and discusses the process students should follow to determine how to proceed from one step to the next, through numerous problem solving techniques.A large collection of problems, varying in level of difficulty, are integrated throughout the text, and suggested hints for the more challenging problems appear in the instructor's solutions manual for use at instructor's discretion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Euclidean and Transformational Geometry
"Euclidean and Transformational Geometry: A Deductive Inquiry" is a text that every mathematics teacher should have a copy of.Not only does it provide a comprehensive coverage of geometry, but it reads like a historical journey through the development of mathematics. The order of the topics is so logical that the reader cannot help but leap from theorem to theorem and take wonderful vacations along the way into islands of interesting problems.

This book's major strength is its clever combination of challenge, clarity, and instruction to teach ideas. The concepts are so clearly presented that students can easily learn them and the skillfully done illustrations augment the book's clarity. Each step of instruction is included and labeled so that the student will not miss some crucial step in their thinking. Multiple paths to the solution of a problem are presented so that the student learns alternative ways of thinking about that concept. This variation and the easy to understand style of writing makes this book interesting and an intellectually stimulating read.

As a high school teacher I find this book to be the richest single resource I have. Most of my students are directed to its well-worn pages multiple times throughout their time with me. I send them to read further about something that interests them, or to read an alternate explanation of a concept that they are struggling with, or simply to find some interesting and challenging problems to work on at home. I believe it is my duty to provide each student with problems that challenge them and are attainable at their level. Dr. Libeskind's book provides me with enough material for all of them, even the brightest of my students, from basic Algebra to Calculus. The problems are not necessarily hard, though some are, but more importantly they're interesting. Many students come early to my class or stay after simply to talk with me, or each other about problems they are working on from this book.

I highly recommend "Euclidean and Transformational Geometry" to all math instructors at the middle school, high school and college levels. Not only has reading it and doing the problems myself greatly enhanced my own understanding of geometry, it has made the subject become beautifully alive for me and the students I share it with. It is a book I cannot imagine being without.

Memorable Geometry
Fifteen years ago I was fortunate to be a student in Professor Libeskind's geometry course at the University of Oregon.The problems that he presented to us, and the way that he emphasized multiple approaches and deep understandings, helped shape my career as a high school mathematics teacher more than any other singular experience.I have now been teaching for thirteen years, and geometry is one of my favorite courses to teach.

My experience in Professor Libeskind's class was unforgettable.I wanted to share some of the problems with my honors students, and was overjoyed to discover that the wonderful collection of problems from that course have now been published as a book!I have yet to find a person who has opened this book and is not immediately interested in finding a solution to the famous Treasure Island Problem.The presentation, clarified through ample diagrams, immediately draws one into the world of exploring.Professor Libeskind writes in a style that invites students of all levels, encourages success, and provides support and assistance to those who need it.He patiently allows the student to make the connections first, but his clear explanations that reveal multiple connections between topics ensure that the student will fully understand the depth of the content.

The development of proof is one of the greatest strengths of this book.High school geometry texts typically begin with a list of theorems and then expect students to construct proofs.As a result, many students look at a proof and have no idea how to proceed.In this book, Professor Libeskind guides students through the process of constructing a proof as an extension of an investigation.I strive to teach my students proof through a similar process, and I am eagerly anticipating Professor Libeskind's high school geometry text.

The wide range of topics introduced and the connections developed between them help to foster a passion for mathematics.One of my favorite aspects of the book is the experience of using Geometer's Sketchpad to investigate problems that formerly led me to use reams of paper.Although the same exercises can be completed without Geometer's Sketchpad, it definitely adds to the experience and helps to keep students motivated.I have not found another geometry book that covers as much material and involves the student in learning as much as this one.

Fantastic Resource
As a middle school math teacher, I am constantly struggling to find textbooks that I can use with my advanced students.There is a dearth of high-quality math textbooks aimed at advanced middle school and high school students, and I usually have to create my own lesson plans using bits and pieces from a number of sources.Though Dr. Libeskind's Euclidean and Transformational Geometry is intended to be a college-level text, I have found it a gold mine for for my advanced middle school classes.The format of the text very closely matches the way I present concepts to my students: each section begins with an introduction to new concepts and vocabulary, followed by simple diagrams and illustrations, and then a theorem and its proof.The exercises are designed to tie back into the main text discussion, and each section builds upon concepts that earlier sections have introduced.

Textbooks that I have worked with in the past have rarely given the same level of focus to writing and understanding proofs that this one does.My experience suggests that while many students find thinking about theorems in terms of proofs foreign at first, they quickly acclimate to the process if proofs are readily available for every property that they encounter.Dr. Libeskind's book is fantastic in this respect because he provides proofs for every mathematical relationship that the text proposes.The book is written to actively encourage students to get into the proof mindset so that they can deconstruct problems, and it is the only textbook that I have come across that does this effectively.

I am also impressed with Dr. Libeskind's ability to collect the diverse topics that his book covers and arrange them in a simple and logical way.This book is straightforward and to the point; no time is wasted on extraneous diagrams, pictures, or problems.The content is clear and concise, but unlike many other textbooks it also encourages the reader to think through problems himself rather than simply providing statements.Even the page layout, which separates ancillary discussions and exercises from the main text using color-coded side-bars and subsections, has been designed with simplicity and ease-of-use in mind.

Though my school district mandates the use of particular textbooks for middle school and high school math, I would like to have several copies of this book in my classroom for students to use as a resource.I have found it vastly superior to many other textbooks that cover the same subject, and though it is aimed at college-level courses, it has been very useful in my lesson planning.

Review from Karen
I highly recommend this book by Professor Libeskind, because it has many outstanding features which make it is vastly superior to the typical college geometry textbook.This geometry textbook is a unique and extraordinary resource for students.It is an elegant book, beautifully written and illustrated, that will introduce students to the process of mathematics - that is to say, to explore interesting problems, discover for themselves possible solutions, and to verify a solution through the process of writing a proof.This book will be treasured by students long after they have completed their coursework and will surely be a continuing resource for students who enter the teaching profession.As a high school math teacher, I can also recommend this book for advanced high school geometry students.

With its beautiful illustrations, uncluttered diagrams, and clear writing style, this book will pique interest by offering students intriguing problems to consider.The book incorporates several features that will develop student appreciation for mathematics, including historical notes about mathematicians that give thoughtful glimpses into the personal lives of those who have contributed to the development of mathematics.The multicultural nature of the discipline of mathematics is clearly described in these notes, and in reading these notes, students will gain a deep respect for the contributions other times and cultures to present-day mathematics.

The book contains a wide range of problems designed to challenge students at every level of understanding.The author's clear belief is that all college students can engage in mathematics at a meaningful level, even beginning students.This textbook is written to develop an in-depth understanding of geometry, and also contains material that will challenge advanced students.Traditional geometric constructions with compass and straight-edge are approached as the outcome of exploration and discovery, rather than as mere techniques.Computer geometry software activities are also included in the text (i.e., Geometer Sketchpad).Sections on recursive formulas for evaluating ð, trigonometric functions, isometries, extremal problems, and complex numbers provide options for providing more complex material for advanced students.
... Read more

Product Description
This text is designed for a one-semester undergraduate course in projective geometry. In incorporates a synthetic approach starting with axioms from which the general theory is deduced, together with an analytic approach using the real projective plane as a model. The first is refined as the second is generalized until the two coincide via the introduction of coordinates in an abstract projective plane. Special attention is paid to the role of Desargues' and Pappus' axioms in the theory. At the end of the book is a list of problems that can be used as exercises while reading. The emphasis on the various groups of transformations that arise in projective geometry introduces the reader to group theory in a practical context. While the book does not assume any previous knowledge of abstract algebra, some familiarity with group theory would be useful. First published in 1967 and long out of print, this book is now reissued with a new preface, an appendix on the simple group of order 168, which appears as the group of automorphisms of a projective plane of seven points, and a list of errata. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good for math majors; perhaps annoying to graphics experts
As the preface says, this book approaches the subject from two different directions: analytic and synthetic. The synthetic approach seems to contain both (1) the parts of the subject best suited to students who know only high-school math, and (2) the parts ill-suited to those who are not "pure" mathematicians. An example of the former is a high-school-geometry-style proof that any three points on any line may be transformed to any three points on any other line via a composition of two perspectivities. An example of the latter is the projective plane that is freely generated by a configuration. The inclusion of things like this latter example is the reason why the word "foundations" is in the title; "foundations" does not mean that which should be learned before everything else; perhaps "foundations" should be defined as "that which will annoy those who want to apply projective geometry to computer graphics and which will delight `pure' mathematicians who want to know how the subject interacts with abstract algebra." The latter group will like this book and will find it very readable.

This book is short and omits some topics found in many books. Conics and polarities are not dealt with.

axiom-theorem-example very good introduction in the area
This is one of thoseboth popular and scientific books. It dealsrigorouslyand reader-friendly with projective (and, subsequently, affine) planes. Desargues and Pappus axioms/theorems interactions are described;projective collineations are studied. Best for freshmen and their advisors,as well. ... Read more

Product Description
A college level textbook on calculas and analytic geometry. 1025 pages. This book has been used for 4 quarter-length courses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The best of all editions of the Thomas text
The third alternate edition of Thomas is a masterpiece of calculus pedagogy. The prose is clear and tight.
The figures are fantastic.Great examples. Great discussion of the mean value theorem. The discussion of limits is rigorous but not overly so. The 4th edition
went overboard on rigor as that was vogue in the early 1970's.
5th and later editions of this text became heavier in weight and more dumbed down in content.


Of all the editions of this text this is the one to get. In fact, if I had to recommend only one older (out of print)
introductory calculus text (that concentrates on applications as opposed to theory - I would recommend Moise for a more theoretical treatment )
as the "best" in terms of overall pedagogy this 3rd alternate edition of Thomas is the one I would go with.


If you can finda used copy jump on it quick !

Calculus Classic
This is a classic which is only superceded by the previous edition. With this book, and the most current you can follow the presentation of material and the development of topics. I recommend this text as a supplement for the serious calculus student or reader. I keep mine at work for reference. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is designed to reinforce ideas - new functions are not introduced and then abandoned; intstead, the authors have the ability to refer back to previously learned concepts and apply those ideas throughout the text. Mizrahi and Sullivan also excel at motivating new concepts. Motivation through concrete examples precedes theory and, wherever posible, the authors present geometric interpretations of difficult ideas (particularly in multivariable calculus). A new Differential Equations chapter meets the needs of instructors who include this material in their course. This book should be of interest to undergraduate students in engineering, physics, science, economics or mathematics who are studying calculus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Still think and use this text.
I bought this text when I was first in college.Now, nearly 20 years later and after grad school, I look back at this text and am still clearly impressed at how well it was written and organized.The examples were very clear and timelessly practical.I have it on my desk at work for the occassional reference on some of my projects or even if something peaks my curosity.

Excellent reading
Note: This is for the 'Alternate' edition.

This book takes the reader from the ground up, up to (nearly) "everything else". Theorems are proven and discussed clearly. The format of the book is consistently appropriate. This book could be considered a must-try, perhaps a must-have.

BRAVO!!!!
I HAVE USED SEVERAL OTHER TEXTS (ALGEBRA & TRIG AND PRECALCULUS)
WRITTEN BY MICHAEL SULLIVAN. WHEN I BEGAN CALCULUS I FOUND THIS
TEXT BY SULLIVAN AND MIZRAHI. mY COMMENTS APPLY TO ALL BOOK BY SULLIVAN. THEY ARE UNIFORMLY OUTSTANDING BECAUSE THE EXPLANATION ARE CLEAR AND WRITTEN FOR THE INTENDED AUDIENCE. SULLIVAN NEVER
FORGETS WHO HIS AUDIENCE IS. THERE ARE LOTS AND LOTS OF EXAMPLES
WORKED OUT STEP BY STEP WITH EACH STEP EXPLAINED. THE EXERCISES AND PROBLEMS START WITH MECHANICS OF INCREAING DIFFICULTY AND THEN WORD PROBLEMS AND THEN ONTO CHALLENGING THEORETICAL PROBLEMS. THE BOOKS ARE VERY READABLE BUT ARE STILL STIMULATING
AND CHALLENGING AT THE PROPER LEVEL FOR EACH BOOK. HE IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW MATHEMATICS AUTHORS I HOLD IN HIGH REGARD. i AM A
STUDENT AND TUTOR AND I LOOK AT A TEXT FROM BOTH POINTS OF VIEW.
YOU CAN BUY ANY TEXT BY MICHAEL SULLIVAN SIGHT UNSEEN. ... Read more

Product Description
This latest edition in the highly respected Swokowski/Cole precalculus series retains the elements that have made it so popular with instructors and students alike: its exposition is clear, the time-tested exercise sets feature a variety of applications, its uncluttered layout is appealing, and the difficulty level of problems is appropriate and consistent. Mathematically sound, ALGEBRA AND TRIGONOMETRY WITH ANALYTIC GEOMETRY, Eleventh Edition, effectively prepares students for further courses in mathematics through its excellent, time-tested problem sets. This edition has been improved in many respects, including the addition of technology inserts with specific keystrokes for the TI-83 Plus and the TI-86, ideal for students who are working with a calculator for the first time. The design of the text makes the technology inserts easily identifiable, so if a professor prefers to skip these sections it is simple to do so. ... Read more

Product Description
1970 First Printing, Third Edtion Text Book, Published by Prentice-Hall, Inc.Paul K. Rees (Professor of Mathematics Emeritus Louisiana State University) ... Read more