Thoughts of an Amateur Mathematician - Paperback

by Jack McCabe (Author)

A Playful, Thought-Provoking Adventure in Mathematics!

Veteran mathematics teacher Jack McCabe takes the reader on a joyful ride through perfect numbers, prime numbers, Pythagorean triples, and twin primes. McCabe provides background information about mathematics legends Pythagoras, Euclid, Fermat, Gauss, Euler, Godel, and Erdos, and in some cases shows how they reasoned their proofs. Numbers Galore gives readers a solid grounding in how mathematicians made their discoveries, as well as showing how modern electronic spreadsheets can be used to investigate long-held mathematical theories. Budding mathematicians will be excited to learn how proofs work, and they will get a glimpse into deeper philosophies of mathematics with McCabe's discussion of Fermat's method of infinite-descent, a topic rarely introduced at this level. Novices and professional mathematicians alike will be intrigued by the notion of "The Holy Grail of Mathematics," which gives concrete meaning to the theory of Pythagorean triples. Equal parts history and discovery, Numbers Galore is a delightful learning tool from a teacher whose passion for mathematics is both contagious and inspiring.
After earning both a BS (Florida State University) and MA (Rutgers) in mathematics, Jack McCabe took coursework toward a PhD (SUNY Buffalo). He completed all but the dissertation. He discovered that his calling was education, and has spent forty-plus years teaching mathematics at both the high school and college levels. He continues to find great joy teaching advanced mathematics at a New England prep school, where he also coaches tennis, his other great love.