1

Branches of Mathematics Text Set

Mary Swick
Dr. Reister
EDU 320
April 8, 2016
Text Set Annotated Bibliography
1. Abbott, E. A. (1992). Flatland: A romance of many dimensions. New York, NY: Dover
Publications.
2. Age: 16+
Grade: 10 (Geometry)
Genre: Science Fiction
Content Area: Math
3. This book has many mathematical principles woven into a fun plot. It talks about shapes,
angles, and dimensions. In a geometry class, there will be lessons about two- dimensional
shapes and the three- dimensional solids whose cross-sections are those two- dimensional
shapes. After talking about how two- dimensional figures can create the three- dimensional
solids by sliding them along the z- axis, I can relate this information the concept of creating
the no dimension and one- dimensional space. I would use this book as a supplement to the
lesson. The descriptions in the book detail these ideas. I would use short selections from the
book when talking about these ideas and then present the book and its plot using the new
definitions and concepts we discussed.
4. Flatland is a fiction novel about a two- dimensional world. The citizens of this twodimensional world, called Flatland, are two- dimensional shapes, like circles, triangles,
squares, and pentagons. The story is told by a character named A Square. A Square has
visions of a one- dimensional world called Lineland and a land of no dimension called
Pointland. One day A Square is greeted by a sphere and is taken into Spaceland, a threedimensional world that is above Flatland. A Square explores this three- dimensional world
and brings back information about the higher dimensional world to Flatland. The government
officials are not happy with A Square as he spreads his newfound knowledge and he is placed
in prison.
5. For a follow- up activity I would have my students create a story pyramid. In creating the
story pyramid, my students will be able to recall the major plot points of the story. The
conflicts and characters in this story are all rooted in mathematical ideas. Their story
pyramids, therefore, would reflect both the plot of the story as well as the concepts of shapes
and dimensions.

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Branches of Mathematics Text Set

Story Pyramid

Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions

A. Square
Clever, curious
Two dimensional world
The third dimension exists
Square has a Lineland vision
Sphere enters Flatland to visit Square
Sphere shows Square three dimensions in Spaceland
Square is imprisoned and writes about three dimensions

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Branches of Mathematics Text Set

1. Newland, S. (Ed.). (2012). Doodle yourself smart-- Math: Over 100 doodles and problems to
solve. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press.
2. Age: 14-16
Grade: 8-10 (Algebra)
Genre: Activity/Workbook
Content Area: Math
3. I would introduce this book in my algebra classroom when I start to discuss word problems.
Word problems are often a challenging concept for students to grasp. This book presents
math problems in a fun and entertaining way. They encourage students to doodle or draw
out the word problem in order to visually represent the given information. This book will be
a great addition to my classroom. The students in my classroom will have different abilities
and learn in different ways. Some students may struggle with grasping the mathematical
concepts and equations necessary to solve word problems. This book will help the students
in my class that learn better by sketching out their thinking process. Therefore, presenting
this book in my unit on word problems will greatly benefit my students.
4. Doodle Yourself Smart is a book that contains many word and math problems. It contains
many fun doodles accompanying the problems along with encouraging math quotes by
famous mathematicians. On each page there is a problem for students to doodle out and
practice their problem solving skills. The back of the book has the answers to the various
problems.
5. Stretch-to-Sketch would be my follow- up activity to presenting this book. I would select a
random problem from the book, or a particular word problem that directly related to the
lesson the students just learned. I would read this problem to the class and in the spirit of this
doodling book, would have my students sketch the scenario presented in the word problem.
Students could be as creative as they desire, perhaps even drawing the setting in which the
problem is placed, but they would be required to include the mathematical information given
in the word problem. Then the students would solve the problem and the class would
compare findings and doodles.

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Branches of Mathematics Text Set

1. Levy, J. (2013). A curious history of mathematics: The big ideas from primitive numbers to
chaos theory. New York, NY: Metro Books.
2. Age: 14-18
Grade: 8-12 (Any math class)
Genre: Historical Nonfiction
Content Area: Math
3. This book is gives an insightful history about the discovery of many mathematical concepts.
I would present this book to my class to give the background of the various ideas I would
discuss in my different math classes. This book contains the history of calculus, algebra,
geometry, chaos theory, abstract algebra, and many other branches of math. I will have this
book handy for students to explore the vast history of mathematics. I will show this book to
my class and emphasize how math has evolved over the ages. I would model the different
concepts in the book for my students and have them try the primitive calculation methods
and practice writing with different number systems. In this way, I would give students a
greater appreciation for modern mathematics.
4. A Curious History of Mathematics details the history of the different branches of
mathematics. In this book there are colorful pictures depicting not only mathematicians but
also math theorems, tools, and number systems. The book is separated into sections based on
historical eras. This book progresses through the Classical Era, Ancient Greece, Medieval
Times, the Renaissance, and the Modern Era. The separation of this book allows the reader
to analyze how the thinking of mathematicians and philosophers changed as time progressed.
5. I would have my students create timelines as a follow- up activity. I would separate my class
into five groups and assign each group a period of time discussed in this book. The students
timelines should reflect the major mathematical advances of the era as well as some of the
most influential mathematicians of the time. Then the groups would present their timelines
to the class and explain how the mathematical advances of the era impact the mathematics
we deal with today.

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Branches of Mathematics Text Set

Timeline: Mathematics in Ancient Greece

600 BC

387 BC

565-495 BC
Pythagoras of Samos:
Philosopher that came
up with the
Pythagorean Theorem,
which we still use
today.

~300s BC

Plato founded a school

in Athens that taught
important math ideas.
He came up with the
five Platonic solids.

Polyhedra (solids)
were explored around
the time of Plato.

~325-265 BC

Euclid of Alexandria
compiled his Elements.
This book contained
essential geometry
ideas that paved the
way for future
mathematicians and
students.

300 BC

During Euclids life

time prime numbers
were being discussed.
Euclid proved that
there are infinitely
many primes.

287-212 BC
Archimedes:
Mathematician that
came up with ideas
related to physics and
mechanics. This
includes the ideas of
buoyancy, levers, and
pulleys.

276-194 BC

Eratosthenes:
Mathematician and
geographer that used
Euclids Elements to
help estimate the
circumference of the
Earth. He was pretty
close- only 6000
kilometers off.

150 BC

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Branches of Mathematics Text Set

1. Joyce, N., & Lloyd, M. (Eds.). (2014). Help your kids with math: A visual problem solver for
kids and parents. New York, NY: DK Publishing.
2. Age: 14-18
Grade: 8-12 (Any math classes)
Genre: Concept book
Content Area: Math
3. This book is an easy read for all students curious about various mathematical concepts in
different subject areas. Hence I would present it to my class as a helpful resource. Many
students struggle with mathematics and I want to show this book to my classes saying it is a
helpful guide to reference if they are struggling with a certain topic. Of course I will always
be there to help my students understand the lessons, but some students may be shy,
embarrassed, or want to figure it out on their own. By providing resources that explain the
critical mathematical concepts, I would be giving my students the opportunity to take
responsibility for their own learning.
4. Help Your Kids with Math is a concept book that clearly and thoroughly explains many
mathematical concepts in subjects ranging from basic arithmetic to statistics and probability.
This book is separated into chapters based on the different areas of mathematics. The best
part of this book is that each concept is explained with concrete and vivid visuals. This book
is a great guide for students that learn better with visuals. The pictures describing the
concepts vary from graphs to shapes, from tables to solved math problems with the steps.
5. I would have my students create a concept map for a follow-up activity. I would have each
of my students select one of the main chapters to create a concept map about- only allowing a
certain number of students per chapter. Then I would have the students select from their
chapter three subtopics, which would be unique to the student, to put in their concept map
and give two supporting details for each subtopic. Once the students create their concepts
maps, they will share them with the class and talk about what they learned.

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Branches of Mathematics Text Set

Concept Map: Geometry

They can be
concave or
convex, regular
or irregular.

They are
named based
on the number
of sides.

They are
measured in
degrees.

Polygons

Geometry

Constructing
triangles

They are used in

creating 3D
computer graphics
in video games.

Bearings

We can plot the

path of an
airplane using a
protractor and
determined scale.

We can construct
triangles using SSS,
AAS, and SAS.

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Branches of Mathematics Text Set

1. Beasley, J. D. (2006). The mathematics of games. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications

Incorporated.
2. Age: 16-18
Grade: 11-12 (Statistics or Calculus)
Genre: Informational Text
Content Area: Math
3. I would present this book to my older students in Calculus and Statistics. This book provides
information on the mathematics behind popular games. I find that presenting this book to my
class will be very helpful because it gives a real world application to the statistics, calculus,
reasoning, and abstract algebra ideas discussed in class. I think that the students will enjoy
the opportunity to learn about the math behind games. It may encourage them to think of
different strategies to game play as well as inspire them to think about the mathematics
behind their favorite games. I would frequently reference this book in my probability
lessons.
4. The Mathematics of Games is a book that analyzes and explains the math hidden inside
popular games, such as card games, games of chance, and puzzles. The book is separated
into chapters based on the different kinds of games. In this book, one would find tables of
calculations and diagrams exposing mathematical information. These visuals reflect ideas
found in probability as well as other areas of mathematics.
5. For a follow-up activity, I would have stations set up in my classroom with a different game
discussed in this book at each station. After the students learn about the math behind the
games, I would separate them into groups and place one group at each station with a game.
The students would be able to play the game with their newfound mathematical knowledge in
mind. I would let each group have enough time to play each game and switch the groups
around to try the other games. After the groups have played each of the games, the groups
would discuss among themselves whether they found the mathematical background helpful
in playing the game as well as other findings they may have discovered while playing. The
groups would share what they discussed with the class.

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Branches of Mathematics Text Set

1. Stromqust, W. (Ed.). (2010). Mathematics Magazine, 83(2), 83-158.

2. Age: 17+
Grade: 12 (Calculus)
Genre: Journal
Content Area: Math
3. This journal has many upper level of mathematical concepts in it. Since this book is at a
much higher reading level than the other books in the test set and because this book requires
readers to have a solid background in mathematics, I would use this book in a senior high
school classroom. There is notation that is found in a calculus class in this journal. Thus, I
would use this book in my calculus class when we talk about summations and graphs. This
journal has interesting upper level applications using these calculus ideas that would be
interesting to present to the class in a broad way. It will be beneficial to have this book in my
classroom because it would provide gifted students and students interested in pursuing
mathematical careers a more advanced approach to mathematical concepts and subjects, like
the abstract algebra and non-Euclidean geometry.
4. Mathematics Magazine contains scholarly mathematics articles on varying topics under the
broad category of math. The topics contained in this book range from calculus to abstract
algebra to non-Euclidean geometry. I would use the Multiplication Game article in my
classroom. This article talks about a hypothetical game in a casino and poses the question as
to whether or not it would be worth playing. The article proceeds to work out the math
behind the decision to play or not play and the strategy to take while playing.
5. For the follow-up activity after introducing students to the book, emphasizing the
Multiplication Game, I would implement a Think-Pair-Share. I would have students
individually brainstorm how they would approach the game. Then the students would pair
up, discuss their approaches, and analyze the mathematics presented in the article. By having
the students reason out why the math works, they will be better able to apply the summations
and logarithms in the class.

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Branches of Mathematics Text Set

1. Batten, L. M. (2013). Public key cryptography: Applications and attacks. Hoboken, NJ: John
Wiley & Sons.
2. Age: 16+
Grade: 11-12
Genre: Textbook
Content Area: Math
3. This textbook exposes the wonderful world of cryptography. I would present this book to my
class once we have a discussion on modular arithmetic and prime numbers. Modular
arithmetic is the basis for cryptography. Cryptography also relies on prime numbers for
ensured security in the safe transmission of a message. This book will provide my class with
a real world application. By presenting this book to my class, I will show my students the
important of modular arithmetic in our world today. After all, without cryptography, online
shopping would not be as secure as it is now. Since the reading level of this book is higher
than most of my other books, I would use this book with my eleventh or twelfth grade
students. Additionally, I would present this book to my class because it has computer related
problems that would be relevant to my students that would want to pursue the computer
sciences.
4. Public Key Cryptography is a textbook that reveals the importance of coding and decoding
messages. It starts with a brief history of different coding methods as well as ways to find
out if a number is prime. The book proceeds through different chapters that discuss different
encoding/decoding methods as well as essential algorithms. In each chapter there are well
explained examples modeling each method, as well as accompanying theorems and general
notation. There are practice problems to review the material in each of the sections and
answers in the back of the book to check the odd numbered problems.
5. For my follow-up activity, I would pair up my students and have them practice sending each
other codes using cryptography methods. Not only would my students get the enjoyment of
being creative and sending each other secret messages, but they would also get the chance to
practice modular arithmetic and sharpen their arithmetic skills. To emphasize the power of
the security of the cryptography methods, I would also give my students the opportunity to
try to crack the codes of other students.