Questions tagged [textbooks]
Questions about comparison of textbooks, the use of textbooks in mathematical education, requests about textbooks dealing with a specific topic in a specific way.
12
votes
3answers
991 views
Is it a bad idea to use an old textbook such as Differential and integral calculus, with examples and applications for calculus course?
I am wondering if it is a bad idea to use an old textbook, such as
Differential and integral calculus, with examples and applications by George A. Osborne. This book was published in 1906 and there ...
7
votes
1answer
162 views
Structure of math textbooks
Math textbooks for undergraduate and graduate students are almost always structured in the same way. Each chapter/section/etc. has it's definitions, theorems, propositions, etc. with proofs following ...
17
votes
2answers
2k views
Algebra 2 textbooks that incorrectly claim that all solutions of polynomial equations can be found
Over the years I have occasionally encountered a number of Algebra 2 textbooks that make an incorrect (or at very least extremely misleading) claim along the lines that "all solutions of a polynomial ...
1
vote
0answers
73 views
What are mathematical definitions? How are they decided upon? [closed]
What are mathematical definitions? When(at what stage) and how do mathematicians come up with the basic definitions of the new mathematical concepts they have found?
I BELIEVE in math I BELIEVE it's ...
4
votes
1answer
115 views
Open Rings-First Abstract Algebra Text
Building off my own experience and the responses to "Rings before groups in abstract algebra?" I've decided to teach Abstract Algebra using a rings-first approach. However the various texts mentioned ...
1
vote
0answers
138 views
Writing Up Solutions To G.H. Hardy's A COURSE IN PURE MATHEMATICS?
Ok, this may be a ridiculous question and if so, you guys will shut it down. But I didn't know where else to ask it-it certainly doesn't belong on Math Overflow. Does anyone know if anyone ever ...
3
votes
0answers
99 views
On concentration inequalities [closed]
I would like suggestions for a good text on concentration inequalities (examples here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentration_inequality). I am looking for sources (texts) that can give strong ...
1
vote
0answers
99 views
I’m considering buying Art of Problem Solving. For those who read it, what’s your review of it? [closed]
As you know, Art of Problem Solving includes 11 books that comes with their solutions and they are PreAlgebra, Introduction to Algebra, Introduction to Counting and Probability, Introduction to ...
8
votes
4answers
262 views
Should I go over examples straight from the textbook in Calculus lectures?
Let's say I'm teaching an undergraduate Calculus 1 course using Stewart's Calculus textbook. Should I spend a fair amount of time in lecture doing examples that are taken straight from the textbook ...
3
votes
4answers
158 views
What are standard (or good) textbooks for undergraduate graph theory?
I'll be teaching graph theory this fall for the first time. The only undergraduate graph theory book I am familiar with is Doug West's book, which I like. But I'd like to consult some other ...
3
votes
2answers
113 views
Supplemental text for undergraduate real analysis
Context: I am an assistant professor at a small college in the US.
Next semester I am teaching real analysis for the first time, and we are using Steven R. Lay's book. (It also happens to be the ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Why don't textbooks foreground marginally generalized theorems?
'Marginally generalized theorems' refers to theorems that were generalized so marginally that they can still be taught, and understood by the students, in the same course.
Examples of theorems NOT ...
9
votes
0answers
105 views
Recommend a vector calculus textbook/resource with an algebraic geometry flavor
Is there a resource or textbook that presents the basics of vector calculus, specifically the gradient, directional derivatives, curves and surfaces, and extrema, from a more algebraic geometry ...
3
votes
3answers
114 views
English book for math for (electrical) engineering similar to German “Higher Mathematics”
Many universities in Germany have special math courses for engineers. These courses are often called "Höhere Mathematik" (higher mathematics) or "Ingenieursmathematik" (engineering mathematics). The ...
4
votes
1answer
85 views
Is there a way to report errors in K-12 textbooks?
I imagine it varies by publisher, but I was just working with a student who uses the textbook Big Ideas Math Accelerated: A Common Core Curriculum by Larson and Boswell, and I found an error within ...
1
vote
0answers
83 views
High school mathematics textbooks across the world [closed]
I come from India and am familiar with the textbooks used for high school mathematics. While it is clear that almost all students will be learning certain core topics like calculus, trigonometry and ...
7
votes
3answers
320 views
Teaching Calculus Less Formally
I'm wondering if anyone knows of calculus books or other work towards teaching calculus in a less mathematically rigorous way.
I'm thinking mostly of American-style college level calculus courses ...
2
votes
0answers
92 views
Which book to use concurrently with each of these mathematics texts?
I'm in search of a good book that I can read --- and recommend to my proteges to read --- along with each one of the following books.
Topology by James R. Munkres, 2nd edition
Introductory ...
4
votes
3answers
211 views
Could you recommend a book for studying calculus 1?
I would like to practice a large quantity of exercises from limit calculation, derivatives, sequences and series and finaly integrals.
2
votes
1answer
103 views
books to teach K-12 math/science via real-world approach?
I volunteered abroad in rural Ethiopia and a village in a remote mountainous area of China. I plan to return to both places and teach for as long as I can make it work. I want to focus on STEM, but ...
-1
votes
1answer
135 views
What textbook is this chapter from? [closed]
I was looking for a good explanation text on single-variable calculus, especially limits, introduction and examples. I found this pdf and I really like it and would like to read the whole book. I was ...
10
votes
1answer
268 views
Is Lax's Linear Algebra and its Applications comprehensive or idiosyncratic?
I'm looking for a good abstract linear algebra text (i.e., not matrix crunching) for students who have completed a Strang-level linear algebra course plus exposure to a proof writing (e.g., induction ...
8
votes
1answer
1k views
Odd or Even-Numbered Answers in Textbooks
Why do some math (and science) textbooks/solution books only include answers to odd- or even-numbered problems?
Some textbooks have a separately purchased answer book with the missing answers, while ...
7
votes
2answers
158 views
“Personalized System of Instruction” (PSI) vs. “Individually Prescribed Instruction” (IPI)
This question may be a bit overly-broad for MESE, but I am hoping to find some responses that can help to fill in my understanding of two similar forms of instruction that had their heyday in the ...
3
votes
1answer
109 views
Dissemination of mistakes in international texts such as the IGCSE
I started tutoring IGCSE Mathematics. In preparation for just a 1 hour class for 1 student, I noticed at least 3 mistakes (confirmed with their replies to me) in Chapter 21 of the Haese 0607 book (...
13
votes
1answer
304 views
Why are hand waving arguments made in textbooks of undergraduate analysis and how should readers deal with them?
Having read several undergraduate textbooks in complex analysis (Stein-Shakarchi, Gameline, etc.), I find that some "hand-waving" arguments are frequently used. An example (the proof of the Cauchy ...
4
votes
3answers
118 views
Sites/books with math problems for bright 5th graders
I'm looking for sites, or books, for bright 5th graders or above, with math problems and respective solutions.
10
votes
5answers
1k views
Book request: teaching proving and reasoning at an American university
I am a European postdoc who recently teaching at a large public university in the United States. I will have to teach a course for undergraduate students that introduces them to proving and reasoning ...
11
votes
3answers
264 views
Without a constraint of time, is self-study with math textbooks better than college courses?
This question is about mathematics only. My forethought is that courses are usually based on textbooks, but they have less content than the textbooks. There are less problem sets, and chapters are ...
0
votes
1answer
78 views
Text book on real analysis for undergrad in statistics
May I get some recommendation on text book on real analysis for undergrad in statistics?
Thank you.
2
votes
4answers
186 views
The sequence of chapters
I'm using a textbook but in my course the chapters are numbered differently. For example, the book has the following chapters:
Real Numbers
Square Roots
Polynomial in a single variable (they don't ...
6
votes
4answers
274 views
What science books would you recommend a curious middle school student to read at home?
OK, this is not exactly a Math Education question, but in lieu of a functioning Science Education site and because in middle schools Math and Science are often taught by the same teachers, I'll ask ...
6
votes
2answers
112 views
Recommendation for an introductory operations research book
In the spring I'll be teaching introductory operations research at an undergraduate liberal arts college in the US. The target audience consists of applied math majors and students in our ...
10
votes
1answer
638 views
Is MacLane and Birkoff's “Algebra” suitable today as either an undergraduate or graduate text in abstract algebra?
I'm going to soon review the 3rd edition of Saunders MacLane And Garrett Birkoff's Algebra at my blog soon and this is the first time I'm really carefully reading it. While I'm really enjoying the ...
9
votes
0answers
180 views
Shanghai math — what is it, and how good is it?
Some schools in the UK are adopting English translations of a grade school math textbook from Shanghai. The book appears to be designed to work with a specific teaching approach, the only specifics ...
10
votes
4answers
372 views
Surrounding a subject and strangling it to death versus concentrating on the main point
Standard calculus textbooks begin by introducing limits, including
limits of a fraction as the numerator and denominator approach $0,$
limits of a fraction as the numerator and denominator approach $\...
8
votes
2answers
133 views
Textbook search: learning the math required to read the newspaper
TL;DR: do you know of an undergrad textbook that covers numeracy with an emphasis on genuine context (as opposed to the artificial word problems that are all too common)?
Less concisely:
I am an ...
11
votes
4answers
542 views
The Order in Pre-Calculus Textbooks
Every Pre-Calculus I have examined starts with functions in general, then polynomial and rational functions, followed by exponential and logarithmic functions and Trigonometry, and ending with ...
6
votes
0answers
124 views
Which calculus textbook is aligned the most with the CollegeBoard course description?
The CollegeBoard website lists many AP calculus BC references.
But it also mentions that "The materials on this List range in alignment from 59% to 100%."
So, which of them is aligned the most with ...
41
votes
4answers
4k views
How to respond to “solve this equation” in a basic algebra class
I asked this question once on math.se, but don't follow the link unless you want to risk biasing your own response: https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/444696/how-to-respond-to-solve-this-...
6
votes
2answers
266 views
Looking for a “Stable” College Algebra Textbook
I have taught College Algebra several times and will teach it again in the next semester. College Algebra, according to the the catalogue of my college, is described as follows:
This course ...
2
votes
1answer
80 views
Preparatory text/s for Boas' Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences? [closed]
Assuming that I remember only basic arithmetic, what (if any) mathematics must I learn before tackling Boas' Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences?
11
votes
2answers
160 views
Transitioning from 'Read textbook to learn' to 'Read original paper/Read paragraphs of textbooks'
I wanted to ask the following on Mathematics stack exchange, but checking the help centre, it appears that this site is more relevant: "Mathematical education, especially about teaching and pedagogy: ...
3
votes
1answer
243 views
Good Textbook for combined Beginning and Intermediate Algebra Course
We'd like to create a course that covers beginning and intermediate algebra in one course (8 hours a week), getting students ready to succeed in precalc and calculus. I am at a community college.
I ...
5
votes
2answers
118 views
Great Worked-out examples books for Mathematics
I'm studying Mathematics in the UK. Back in Italy, where I am from worked-out problems books are very popular in mathematics and they are always recommended or compulsory at university. Going through ...
17
votes
4answers
620 views
What reasons are there preventing me from using an old edition text?
Background: I'm a final-year math student applying for faculty jobs at small schools in the US.
I'm currently designing a few courses, and this questions has been bothering me for some time now: Why ...
4
votes
5answers
639 views
Reading Your Algebra Book
An algebra book requires a different type of reading than a novel or a short story. Every sentence in a math book is full of information and logically linked to the surrounding sentences. You should ...
4
votes
1answer
798 views
Teacher Edition vs Solution Key?
I have a copy of the "Teacher Edition" of a pre-calc textbook my students are using. It's similar to their text, but the pages are reduced a bit to offer room for answers and some commentary.
Now I ...
6
votes
1answer
673 views
Most Commonly-Adopted Calculus Textbooks
I am looking for an article (or other source) that addresses the calculus textbook industry, specifically which calculus textbooks are most commonly adopted. I'm primarily interested in that of the U....
6
votes
2answers
260 views
Functional analysis text for junior-senior math majors?
I am looking for a good book for junior-senior US math majors on functional analysis. Some background and detail:
Last semester I taught a special topics course in functional analysis to junior-...
