Mathematics from the Visual World

Geometry has long been recognized as a gateway to the highest realms of human thought. These 24 lectures introduce you to the terms, concepts, and astonishing power of geometry. You'll discover the important role this profound mathematical field plays in everything from algebra and calculus to art and architecture. Professor Starbird believes there's no excuse for a dull course on mathematics, a philosophy he pursues throughout these lectures. You'll consider intriguing applications of geometry, including conic sections (the shapes produced by the intersection of a plane and a cone), non-Euclidean geometries (which accurately reflect phenomena in physics and other disciplines), and topology (the branch of mathematics that deals with shapes that retain their identity after twisting and stretching). No other area of mathematics is so richly endowed with interesting examples as geometry, which appeals to both the intellect and the eye. All of geometry's many applications make use of the bedrock concepts of axioms, theorems, and proofs. You'll discover that these traditional techniques are not ends in themselves but tools for gaining new insights. According to Euclid, There is no royal road to geometry. Now there is Professor Starbird's road, which is a delightful and invigorating journey through one of the most glorious inventions of the human mind.