Math Tricks: The Surprising Wonders of Shapes and Numbers

by Alfred S. Posamentier

It is no secret that most people avoid mathematics, in large measure because elementary school teachers have never done much to motivate a love of the subject matter. In his latest book, mathematician Alfred S. Posamentier provides easily understandable, easily presentable and easily replicated tricks that one can do with mathematics. All that is required is the ability to do arithmetic, understand the very basics of algebra and geometry and have an open mind for probability.

From geometrical puzzles to numerical quirks, Math Tricks will give readers that "aha!" moment they may never have received at school.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

Published May 15, 2021

About the author

Alfred S. Posamentier (born October 18, 1942) is among the most prominent American educators in the country and is a lead commentator on American math and science education, regularly contributing to The New York Times and other news publications. He has created original math and science curricula, emphasized the need for increased math and science funding, promulgated criteria by which to select math and science educators, advocated the importance of involving parents in K-12 math and science education, and provided myriad curricular solutions for teaching critical thinking in math.

Dr. Posamentier was a member of the New York State Education Commissioner’s Blue Ribbon Panel on the Math-A Regents Exams. He served on the Commissioner’s Mathematics Standards Committee, which redefined the Standards for New York State. And he currently serves on the New York City schools’ Chancellor’s Math Advisory Panel.

Posamentier earned a Ph.D. in mathematics education from Fordham University (1973), a Master’s degree in mathematics education from the City College of the City University of New York (1966) and an A.B. degree in mathematics from Hunter College of the City University of New York.

Posamentier was born in Manhattan in New York City, the son of Austrian immigrants. He has one daughter (Lisa, born in 1970), and one son (David, born in 1978). He resides in River Vale, New Jersey and is the current Dean of the School of Education and professor of mathematics education at Mercy College, New York. He was formerly professor of mathematics education and dean of the School of Education at The City College of the City University of New York, where he spent the previous 40 years.

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining for math nerds or anyone who enjoys puzzles and guessing games. Without comparing exactly, I believe there was some duplication from his book, The Joy of Geometry.