Elementary Probability with Applications by Larry RabinowitzReview by: Ken WolffThe Mathematics Teacher, Vol. 101, No. 4, Mathematical Discourse (NOVEMBER 2007), pp. 317-318Published by: National Council of Teachers of MathematicsStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20876119 .

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PUBLICATIONS From Other Publishers

Educational Transformations: The Influences of Stephen I. Brown, edited

by Frances Rosamond and Larry Copes, 2006. xvii + 557 pp., $18.47 paper. ISBN 1-4208-0690-4. AuthorHouse; (800) 839-8640; www.AuthorHouse.com.

Educational Transfor

mations: The Influences of Stephen I. Brown is described by its editors as a Festschrift?a feast of writing?honoring Brown and collected

on the occasion of his retirement. This collection of essays, written by Brown's

colleagues, friends, and family, celebrate his career, explore the many areas of mathematics education influenced by his

work, and provide personal insights into how Brown inspired them as students, teachers, and mathematicians.

The book is divided into five sections. The first, "Extensions of What if not?" examines ideas in mathematics teach

ing most directly related to Brown's own work. Each subsequent section is one step further removed from Brown's

work, exploring courses and programs influenced by his philosophy of teaching, ideas for mathematics educator training, the extension into and popularization of mathematics in other aspects of life, and larger philosophical issues raised

through Brown's work in mathematics education. An "Interlude" section also

provides personal anecdotes from Brown

himself, his family, and his friends. As a collection of essays in tribute

to a lifetime's work, the book presumes a familiarity with Brown, his writings, and his philosophy of mathematics edu cation. Readers unfamiliar with Brown will find little of value; however, those who have admired Brown's work or

that of people influenced by his ideas on

mathematics and mathematics teaching will consider this an enjoyable addition to their bookshelves.

?Robert E. Moyer Southwest Minnesota State University

Marshall, MN 56258

Elementary Probability with Applica tions, Larry Rabinowitz, 2005. ix +198 pp., $35 cloth. ISBN 1-56881-222-1. A K Peters; (781) 416-2888; www.akpeters.com.

lege of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. Because of the intricate nature of some applications, reading the material is at times challenging. The author claims that a first course in high school algebra is sufficient to read the text. Standard mod els such as dice, spinners, and cards are

used only in a few examples. Instead, top ics are introduced through a wide variety of interesting, motivational, and informa tive applications. The text is not designed for a "plug and chug" course; the majority of exercises must be carefully read and reflected on. As a result, only three or

four problems should be assigned for each

fifty-minute class meeting. I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing this

text and working many of the exercises. The emphasis on applied problems makes for very interesting and informa tive reading. Although I did not have an opportunity to use the text with

students, I expect to do so in the near

future. The book's primary strength is the author's choice of problems and the

way he uses them to introduce major topics in discrete probability. Perhaps

This very interest

ing book, developed for a one-semester

or one-quarter course in discrete

probability, is based on course notes

and experiences

with nonscience

majors at the Col

Vol. 101, No. 4 November 2007 | MATHEMATICS TEACHER 317

This content downloaded from 194.1.157.117 on Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:07:02 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

the only weakness is the author's under estimation of the necessary background in mathematics required to read this

material successfully. This book belongs on your profes

sional bookshelf (or in your backpack or travel bag, into which it will easily fit). You will find many of the problems interesting, challenging, and satisfying. It is also appropriate for use as a text or

supplementary text with a wide range of

high school and college students. -Ken Wolff

Montclair State University Montclain NJ 07043

further readings, consisting of relevant

print and Internet references. Having the references listed next to the specific item is very convenient. Other strengths are the ease of use due to the thoughtful organizational structure and the overall

strong writing. I highly recommend this

encyclopedia as a library resource for both secondary school students and col

lege students.

?Roger H. Marty Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH 44115

and undergraduates majoring in math

ematics, applied physics, or engineering. ?Brenda Strassfeld

NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

New York, NY 10003

King of Infinite Space: Donald Cox

eter, The Man Who Saved Geometry, Siobhan Roberts, 2006. 320 pp., $25.00 cloth. ISBN 0-8027-1499-4. Published by Walker and Company, distrib. by VHPS Distribution Center; (888) 330-8477; www.walkerbooks.com.

iNFiNiTc space Siobhan Roberts pres

^j^j^jjjjjjjjjjj-j' ents a colorful look at a very colorful character, Donald Coexter, the

w^M man who saved geom

_j^m etry. I did not expect to

MM be so enthralled with .

biography, a happy convergence of a notable personality and a talented writer. The weaving of inter

personal relationships with mathematical content makes the book broadly appeal ing. Those who like to read biographies

will enjoy this book. However, those who do not have some mathematical

background, preferably in geometry, may find many passages over their heads. The interspersing of text with delightful drawings, quotes, and pictures also adds to the book's overall appearance.

Roberts's study would make an excel lent supplement to any mathematics history course, even those not geometry based. She is able to relate Coxeter's mental calisthenics

with his practical contributions to geometry in particular and mathematics in general.

Advanced high school seniors should be able to handle most of the text, but I think the general appeal would be to college stu dents and, certainly, graduate students.

?Barbara Hershey-Handler University of Tennesee (retired)

Knoxville, TN 37919

An Imaginary Tale: The Story of Paul J. Nahin, 2007 (with a new preface by the author). 288 pp., $16.95 paper. ISBN 978-0-691-12798-9. Princeton

University Press; (609) 958-5714; pup. princeton.edu.

aI found this book, the corrected and updated paperback edition of An Imaginary Tale,

fascinating from its

beginning to its end. The author's enthusi

asm is infectious. He presents complex ideas (pun intended) in an easy-to-read style. I especially enjoyed the historical tidbits about all the mathematicians and nonmathematicians who were involved in

unraveling the mystery surrounding V^l.

Anyone having the opportunity to read this book should have a pen or

pencil in hand to try verifying the many interesting problems that the author includes throughout the text as he

weaves the tale of V^l. Several examples are given of the applications of complex numbers to the solutions of problems in mathematics and applied sciences.

High school and college textbooks

generally report that V^I was invented as a solution to the equation x2 + 1 =

0. Nahin shatters this belief by report ing that the breakthrough for V^l came

from solutions to cubic equations, not from solutions to quadratic equations.

This book is a must read for all high school mathematics teachers and should be part of any teacher education pro gram preparing them. I would also rec

ommend it to high school students tak

ing advanced placement calculus courses

Encyclopedia of Measurement and

Statistics, Volumes 1-3, edited by Neil J.

Salkind, 2006.1416 pages, $395.00 cloth. ISBN 1-4129-1611-9. Sage Publications; (805)

499-0721; www.sagepublications.com.

This three-volume encyclopedia contains several hundred entries, contributed

by nearly 300 research experts from universities and other organizations, on topics in statistics and measurement that are useful in the social sciences and allied fields of public health and educa tion. The topics range from ability tests to z-scores, and the entries are separated

alphabetically into three parts, corre

sponding to the three volumes. Included are an up-to-date bibliog

raphy of about 1700 items, appendixes of basic statistical concepts, tables of critical values, relevant Internet sites, a glossary, and an index. Some of the

appendixes are taken from Salkind's

introductory statistics text, Statistics

for People Who (Think They) Hate Sta

tistics, second edition (2004). An eight page reader's guide, which appears in all three volumes, is useful for finding particular entries and gaining an over

view of all entries contained in the three volumes.

The encyclopedia is targeted at begin ning and intermediate-level college stu dents as well as consumers and practitio ners of measurement and statistics. It is intended to be broadly useful for many activities of data collection, manage

ment, interpretation, analysis, and sense

making. As a resource, it is comprehen

sive and easy to use.

Many items conclude with a listing of

The Life of Numbers, Antonio J. Duran,

Georges If rah, and Alberto Manguel, 2006.180 pp., $38.00 cloth. ISBN 1 56881-325-2. A K Peters; (781) 416-2888;

www.akpeters.com.

This book, a fairly sophisticated account of the evolution of numbers, is a real

318 MATHEMATICS TEACHER | Vol. 101, No. 4 November 2007

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