Mathematical Expeditions

Frank J. Swetz is a professor emeritus of mathematics and education at The Pennsylvania State University. Among his numerous books are Learning Activities from the History of Mathematics; Five Fingers to Infinity: A Journey through the History of Mathematics; and Capitalism and Arithmetic: The New Math of the 15th Century.

• Preface1. Word Problems: Footprints from the History of Mathematics2. Problems, Problems: A Resource for Teaching3. Ancient Babylonia (2002–1000 BCE)4. Ancient Egypt5. Ancient Greece6. Ancient China7. India8. Islam9. Medieval Europe10. Renaissance Europe11. Japanese Temple Problems12. The Ladies Diary (1704–1841)13. Nineteenth-Century Victorian Problems14. Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century American Problems15. Problems from the Farmer's Almanac16. Nineteenth-Century Calculus Problems17. Some Sample Problem Solution Methods18. Where to from Here? Where Do You Want to Go?AcknowledgmentsAnswers to Numbered ProblemsGlossary of Strange and Exotic Terms: Measurements, Monetary Units, and Culturally Relevant WordsBibliographyIndex

Swetz has collected word problems, or story problems, used to teach mathematics around the world and throughout history, so mathematics teachers in middle and secondary schools can use them today. University students of mathematics and its history might also find them useful as well as entertaining. Reference and Research Book News Mathematical Expeditions is a wonderful resource for any teacher who would like to use old problems in a course to help students understand the context of mathematical ideas. -- Victor J. Katz Mathematical Reviews The book is well thought-out and is recommended to readers interested in the history of mathematics. -- E. Keith Lloyd London Mathematical Society Newsletter One of my graduate students, who is majoring in mathematics, was excited when I showed her a sample of problems in the book. A month later, she asked whether I had finished my review-she wanted to borrow the book! -- Winifred A. Mallam Mathematics Teacher