Sharpening Everyday Mental/Thinking Skills Through Mathematics Problem Solving and Beyond

Mathematics is a subject taught from kindergarten through to high school, and yet it is the one subject that most adults are almost proud to admit to not having been very good at, and, therefore, tend to avoid it where they can. However, one of the key factors in mathematics is its ability to enable us to solve everyday problems. When we consider 'the worst-case scenario' of the situation, it is analogous to solving a mathematical problem by considering extremes. Or, we might consider the best path to take from point A to point B, where geometric relationships can be helpful. This book is intended to demonstrate a variety of neglected aspects of mathematics, in order to demonstrate the power and beauty of the field of mathematics beyond where most people, students, and teachers believe is possible.

The chapters of the book explore a multitude of topics: unusual arithmetic calculations and shortcuts, entertaining and instructional problem-solving strategies, unusual applications of algebra, and how geometry allows us to better appreciate physical relationships. Only a basic mathematical knowledge is needed to understand these topics and problems; however, the book also demonstrates that, armed with even this level of understanding, our mathematical skills far exceed what we learned at school! The final chapter is the most challenging, and explores a curious problem-solving technique.

Contents:

• About the Authors
• Introduction
• Arithmetic Calculation Surprises
• Numerical Novelties
• Challenging Problems with Surprising Solutions
• Algebra: A Unique Problem-Solving Tool
• Geometric Gems
• For Experts: Stepwise Solutions to Challenging Problems
• Index

Readership: This book is aimed at the general readership to enhance their appreciation of mathematics, and to secondary/high school teachers for the awareness of the mathematics they must expose students to beyond the standard curriculum. Also aimed at folks who would like to enhance their knowledge of mathematics.
Key Features:

• The book aims motivate a love for mathematics for a general audience and young students by showing them more interesting and practical elements of mathematics than is often found in school curriculums
• The maths covered in this book aims to strengthen the readers problem-solving in mathematics and beyond

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