Virginia Mathematics Teacher Spring 2017

Good Reads Section Editor: Dr. Betti Kreye

In this section, we feature mathematics literature that is appropriate for K-12 Mathematics instruction. If you use specific literature for your mathematics classroom and wish to share it with the Virginia Mathematics Teacher community, please respond to the Call for Manuscripts on page 36. Algebra in Context Piece by: Lynn Foshee Reed

Dr. Betti Kreye Section Editor, Good Reads bkreye@vt.edu

or making Napier’s Bones. In addition, I think the book could provide a different mathematical experience for introductory algebra students who are interested in or at least open to making connections across cultures and disciplines. For example, Part I on Numeration Systems includes discussion of Babylonian, Egyptian, Roman, Chinese, Mayan, and Indo-Arabic number systems. Finally, I would highly recommend this book as a resource for teachers of mathematics, both in- service and pre-service, experienced or novice.

Algebra in Context: Introductory Algebra from Origins to Applications is divided into four parts: Numeration Systems, Arithmetic Snapshots, Foundations, and Solving Equations. The last (and largest) section covers linear, quadratic, cubic, and polynomial equations as well as the Rule of 3 and logarithms. Throughout the book, the authors present concepts, notation, and algorithms central to a typical introductory algebra course. What is different however is the non-trivial inclusion of historical information that places these concepts, notation, and algorithms in context. For example, in the section on Polynomial Equations in One Variable there is a thorough discussion beginning with Rene Descartes’s notation for exponents and continuing through contributions of Fermat, Bhaskara, Leonardo of Pisa, among others. There are many excellent illustrations (for both the algebra as well as the history), as well as a “Now You Try” and “Think About It” problems throughout the text. At the end of each chapter is a lengthy exercise list containing both algebra practice and history analysis. Whereas the algebra examples and problems in the body of each chapter are at a basic level, the history-infused passages can be quite dense, with occasional lengthy footnotes. This leads to my only criticism: some chapters feel a bit uneven in the presentation to and cognitive demands of the reader. Algebra in Context could be used easily and successfully as the textbook for a history of mathematics course for pre-service teachers. There are opportunities for hands-on activities or projects throughout the book, such as using abaci

Algebra in Context: Introductory Algebra from Origins to Applications

Amy Shell-Gellasch and J. B. Thoo Johns Hopkins University Press, 2015

Virginia Mathematics Teacher vol. 43, no. 2

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