A Mathematical Nature Walk

A Mathematical Nature Walk PDF Author: John A. Adam
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 140083290X
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
How heavy is that cloud? Why can you see farther in rain than in fog? Why are the droplets on that spider web spaced apart so evenly? If you have ever asked questions like these while outdoors, and wondered how you might figure out the answers, this is a book for you. An entertaining and informative collection of fascinating puzzles from the natural world around us, A Mathematical Nature Walk will delight anyone who loves nature or math or both. John Adam presents ninety-six questions about many common natural phenomena--and a few uncommon ones--and then shows how to answer them using mostly basic mathematics. Can you weigh a pumpkin just by carefully looking at it? Why can you see farther in rain than in fog? What causes the variations in the colors of butterfly wings, bird feathers, and oil slicks? And why are large haystacks prone to spontaneous combustion? These are just a few of the questions you'll find inside. Many of the problems are illustrated with photos and drawings, and the book also has answers, a glossary of terms, and a list of some of the patterns found in nature. About a quarter of the questions can be answered with arithmetic, and many of the rest require only precalculus. But regardless of math background, readers will learn from the informal descriptions of the problems and gain a new appreciation of the beauty of nature and the mathematics that lies behind it.

A Mathematical Nature Walk

A Mathematical Nature Walk PDF Author: John A. Adam
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 140083290X
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
How heavy is that cloud? Why can you see farther in rain than in fog? Why are the droplets on that spider web spaced apart so evenly? If you have ever asked questions like these while outdoors, and wondered how you might figure out the answers, this is a book for you. An entertaining and informative collection of fascinating puzzles from the natural world around us, A Mathematical Nature Walk will delight anyone who loves nature or math or both. John Adam presents ninety-six questions about many common natural phenomena--and a few uncommon ones--and then shows how to answer them using mostly basic mathematics. Can you weigh a pumpkin just by carefully looking at it? Why can you see farther in rain than in fog? What causes the variations in the colors of butterfly wings, bird feathers, and oil slicks? And why are large haystacks prone to spontaneous combustion? These are just a few of the questions you'll find inside. Many of the problems are illustrated with photos and drawings, and the book also has answers, a glossary of terms, and a list of some of the patterns found in nature. About a quarter of the questions can be answered with arithmetic, and many of the rest require only precalculus. But regardless of math background, readers will learn from the informal descriptions of the problems and gain a new appreciation of the beauty of nature and the mathematics that lies behind it.

Mathematics in Nature

Mathematics in Nature PDF Author: John A. Adam
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400841011
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Book Description
From rainbows, river meanders, and shadows to spider webs, honeycombs, and the markings on animal coats, the visible world is full of patterns that can be described mathematically. Examining such readily observable phenomena, this book introduces readers to the beauty of nature as revealed by mathematics and the beauty of mathematics as revealed in nature. Generously illustrated, written in an informal style, and replete with examples from everyday life, Mathematics in Nature is an excellent and undaunting introduction to the ideas and methods of mathematical modeling. It illustrates how mathematics can be used to formulate and solve puzzles observed in nature and to interpret the solutions. In the process, it teaches such topics as the art of estimation and the effects of scale, particularly what happens as things get bigger. Readers will develop an understanding of the symbiosis that exists between basic scientific principles and their mathematical expressions as well as a deeper appreciation for such natural phenomena as cloud formations, halos and glories, tree heights and leaf patterns, butterfly and moth wings, and even puddles and mud cracks. Developed out of a university course, this book makes an ideal supplemental text for courses in applied mathematics and mathematical modeling. It will also appeal to mathematics educators and enthusiasts at all levels, and is designed so that it can be dipped into at leisure.

X and the City

X and the City PDF Author: John A. Adam
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400841690
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 340

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Book Description
What mathematical modeling uncovers about life in the city X and the City, a book of diverse and accessible math-based topics, uses basic modeling to explore a wide range of entertaining questions about urban life. How do you estimate the number of dental or doctor's offices, gas stations, restaurants, or movie theaters in a city of a given size? How can mathematics be used to maximize traffic flow through tunnels? Can you predict whether a traffic light will stay green long enough for you to cross the intersection? And what is the likelihood that your city will be hit by an asteroid? Every math problem and equation in this book tells a story and examples are explained throughout in an informal and witty style. The level of mathematics ranges from precalculus through calculus to some differential equations, and any reader with knowledge of elementary calculus will be able to follow the materials with ease. There are also some more challenging problems sprinkled in for the more advanced reader. Filled with interesting and unusual observations about how cities work, X and the City shows how mathematics undergirds and plays an important part in the metropolitan landscape.

Winter Math Walk

Winter Math Walk PDF Author: Deanna Pecaski McLennan
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781709700620
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 50

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Book Description
There is beautiful mathematics in the natural world. In this book two children take a winter math walk in search of interesting treasures. Colourful photos and an easy to access text invite both children and adults to explore the wonders of the winter world. This book can spark mathematical conversations with children, and be used as a guide for discovering the rich math that exists in nature. Photos can also be used to engage children in math talks as they observe and discuss what they see. Mathematical facts for each photo are provided that can be used to prompt readers in learning more about how math shapes our natural world.

Autumn Math Walk

Autumn Math Walk PDF Author: Deanna Pecaski Mclennan
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781703937244
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 50

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Book Description
There is beautiful mathematics in the natural world. In this book two children take an autumn math walk in search of interesting treasures. Colourful photos and an easy to access text invite both children and adults to explore the wonders of the autumn world. This book can spark mathematical conversations with children, and be used as a guide for discovering the rich math that exists in nature. Photos can also be used to engage children in math talks as they observe and discuss what they see. Mathematical facts for each photo are provided that can be used to prompt readers in learning more about how math shapes our natural world.

Natalie's Nature Walk

Natalie's Nature Walk PDF Author: Seth Dempski
Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc
ISBN: 1477764402
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 26

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Book Description
Working with data is a foundational concept not only for mathematics, but also for understanding the world around us. Readers will gain exposure to principles of measurement, such as measuring length and using it to perform operations, while other narratives introduce concepts of money and time. Bright visuals help make math not only concrete, but also fun. Readers join Natalie as she takes a nature walk and practices organizing data in picture graphs. This volume meets CCSS Math Standard 2.MD.D.10.

The Mathematics of Patterns, Symmetries, and Beauties in Nature

The Mathematics of Patterns, Symmetries, and Beauties in Nature PDF Author: Bourama Toni
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030845966
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 150

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Book Description
This unique book gathers various scientific and mathematical approaches to and descriptions of the natural and physical world stemming from a broad range of mathematical areas – from model systems, differential equations, statistics, and probability – all of which scientifically and mathematically reveal the inherent beauty of natural and physical phenomena. Topics include Archimedean and Non-Archimedean approaches to mathematical modeling; thermography model with application to tungiasis inflammation of the skin; modeling of a tick-Killing Robot; various aspects of the mathematics for Covid-19, from simulation of social distancing scenarios to the evolution dynamics of the coronavirus in some given tropical country to the spatiotemporal modeling of the progression of the pandemic. Given its scope and approach, the book will benefit researchers and students of mathematics, the sciences and engineering, and everyone else with an appreciation for the beauty of nature. The outcome is a mathematical enrichment of nature’s beauty in its various manifestations. This volume honors Dr. John Adam, a Professor at Old Dominion University, USA, for his lifetime achievements in the fields of mathematical modeling and applied mathematics. Dr. Adam has published over 110 papers and authored several books.

Eco-Mathematics Education

Eco-Mathematics Education PDF Author: Nataly Chesky
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004466800
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
Eco-Mathematics Education strives to show how everyone can experience the embedded connection between mathematics and the natural world. The authors’ sincere hope is that by doing so, we can radically change the way we come to understand mathematics, as well as humanity’s place in the ecosystem. The book hopes to accomplish this by providing in-depth lesson plans and resources for educators and anyone interested in teaching and learning mathematics through an ecological aesthetic perspective. All lessons are based on the inquiry method of teaching, aligned to standards, incorporate art projects inspired by famous artists, and utilize recycled and/or natural materials as much as possible.

Walking Through Nature

Walking Through Nature PDF Author: Francie Stearns
Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc
ISBN: 1477747435
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 24

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Book Description
Working with data is a foundational concept not only for mathematics, but also for understanding the world around us. Readers will gain exposure to principles of measurement, such as measuring length and using it to perform operations, while other narratives introduce concepts of money and time. Bright visuals help make math not only concrete, but also fun. Readers join Aaron as he organizes data into picture graphs on a nature walk. This volume meets CCSS Math Standard 2.MD.D.10.

Spring Math Walk

Spring Math Walk PDF Author: Deanna Pecaski McLennan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description
There is beautiful mathematics in the natural world. In this book a child takes a spring math walk in search of interesting treasures. Colourful photos and an easy to access text invite both children and adults to explore the wonders of the spring world. This book can spark mathematical conversations with children, and be used as a guide for discovering the rich math that exists in nature. Photos can also be used to engage children in math talks as they observe and discuss what they see. Mathematical facts for each photo are provided at the end of the book that can be used to prompt readers in learning more about how math shapes our natural world.