Looking for a math book as a gift for my math teacher

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for a non-textbook math book to gift to a high school math teacher. Participants share various titles they believe would be suitable reads, focusing on engaging and interesting content rather than academic textbooks.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to find a good book for their math teacher, specifically mentioning they do not want a textbook.
  • Another participant questions the intent behind the request, suggesting it may be an attempt to gain favor with the teacher.
  • Multiple participants provide links to various math-related books, including titles like "What is Mathematics" by Richard Courant and "Chaos" by James Gleick.
  • One participant recommends "An Imaginary Tale" by Paul Nahin, highlighting its interesting historical context regarding the acceptance of imaginary numbers in solving cubic equations.
  • Suggestions also include works by Simon Singh, such as "The Code Book" and "Fermat's Enigma," as well as "Divine Proportions" by Wildberger, although one participant notes it may be too expensive.
  • Another participant mentions "Counting Rabbits" by Ball as a potential option.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share various recommendations without a clear consensus on a single best choice. Multiple competing views and suggestions remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some recommendations may depend on the teacher's interests or existing book collection, which are not fully known to all participants.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals looking for gift ideas for math teachers or those interested in engaging math literature.

renob
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I'm looking for a good book for my teacher. Not a textbook or anything, just a good read.

I've had her for the past 2 years in high school.
 
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renob said:
I'm looking for a good book for my teacher. Not a textbook or anything, just a good read.

I've had her for the past 2 years in high school.

What are you trying to do suck up to her or something?
 
nah dude
 
What is Mathematics, by Richard Courant.
 
naele said:
What is Mathematics, by Richard Courant.

ooohhh that's a good one
 
  • #10
I happen to like "Chaos" by James Gleick, though she may already have a copy of that. I read the book, gave my copy to a really smart young lady who attended our astronomy club, later bought another copy for myself, re-read it, and ended up giving that copy away to yet another kid. It's well-written and entertaining.
 
  • #13
My first choice would be An imaginary tale by Paul Nahin. Really interesting history there. Most of us secondary school teachers don't realize that i became accepted in its role solving cubic equations, not quadratic ones. Even though that's not how we teach it today.

Alternatively, consider anything by Simon Singh. Such as The Code Book or Fermat's Enigma.

Finally, although this is probably too expensive a gift, Divine Proportions by Wildberger. In a perfect world, all high school teachers would have this book.
 
  • #14
Counting Rabbits by Ball
 

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