Holiday Extra Credit

Holiday Extra Credit Opportunity

Here’s your chance to get some extra credit (up to 4% of your grade) over the holiday break. Pick one of the following books and read the entire book. Then, write a book report, explaining in detail each of the math concepts described. Provide examples whenever you can. Remember QUALITY is more important than QUANTITY, but your book report should be at least 2 pages so that you can cover the parts. See rubric for details.

Due: Tuesday January 8, 2008.


1.) The Number Devil, by Hans Magnus Enzenberger
One of my personal favorites. You will learn about many interesting mathematical concepts in this easy-to-read, comical dream world.

2.) The Man Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures, by Malba Tahan, Patricia Reid Baquero
A beautifully written set of mathematical and philosophical adventures, sited by many as the book that turned them on to math.

3.) Flatland, by Edwin Abbott
A delightful classic written a long time ago which explores dimensionality: l-D, 2-D, 3-D, 4-D. It also has some outdated social commentary. Great if you like stretching your brain to think about really weird ideas. There are a large number of take-offs on Flatland, including Sphereland, Flatterland, and The Planiverse by various authors.

4.) The Boy Who Reversed Himself, by William Sleator
A novel (for kids) about worlds in 4 and more dimensions.

5.) In Code: A Mathematical Journey, by Sarah Flannery with David Flannery
An engaging autobiography about a young woman’s breakthrough discoveries in cryptography.