Exploring Mathematics

John Meier is Professor of Mathematics at Lafayette College, Pennsylvania, where he also served as Dean of the Curriculum. His research focuses on geometric group theory and involves algorithmic, combinatorial, geometric and topological issues that arise in the study of infinite groups. In addition to teaching awards from Cornell University, New York, and Lafayette College, Professor Meier is the proud recipient of the James Crawford Teaching Prize from the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware section of the Mathematical Association of America. Derek Smith is Associate Professor of Mathematics at Lafayette College, Pennsylvania. His research focuses on algebra, combinatorics, and geometry. He has taught a wide variety of undergraduate courses in mathematics and other subjects in both the United States and Europe. He is the recipient of multiple teaching awards at Lafayette, and his work has been supported by the Mathematical Association of America and the National Science Foundation. Professor Smith is a former editor of the problem section of Math Horizons.

• 1. Let's play!; 2. Discovering and presenting mathematics; 3. Sets; 4. The integers and the fundamental theorem of arithmetic; 5. Functions; 6. Relations; 7. Cardinality; 8. The real numbers; 9. Probability and randomness; 10. Algebra and symmetry; 11. Projects; Appendix A. Solutions, answers, or hints to in-text exercises; Index; Bibilography.

'Wonderful list of topics, entertaining presentation, well-chosen problems - this is the way I want my grandchildren to engage with the beauty of mathematics. Too many students enter college with tools from calculus but no concept of how mathematicians think, and hardly any exposure to sets, logic, numbers, groups, or probability. How can we expect them to decide about continuing with mathematics, without a glimpse of the wonders ahead? A marvelous world lies at your students' doorstep, and Exploring Mathematics makes them players, not just observers, in that world. You'll want all your math majors, and perhaps your computer science majors as well, to have this experience.' Peter Winkler, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire