Mathematics: A Human Endeavor (3rd Edition)

I would definitely purchase this again. My daughter is in sixth grade and we have been homeschooling for five years. While Harold Jacobs does not reference God in any way it DOES he does an excellent job of showing you the order and patterns throughout math and how this order extends into acience and other parts of life. When viewed from the perspective of an amazing Creator designing all this not only is my child challenged to think and discover new math concepts but we have awesome conversations about our God who did this. My son is doing Harold Jacobs algebra book and we will continue on with the geometry. Harold Jacobs expects a mind to think and seek understanding, not just regurgitate facts.

The book is listed as "Very Good". The book I received is brand new except a library stamp found on the inside cover. Far beyond of my expectation. Excellent sellerOne of the best math book I've ever read. No prerequisite is required. The book shows math is fun and inextricably linked with real life. The author is trying to make reader love, or like at least, and to me, he did it!

Mathematics: A Human Endeavor is not a primer textbook, rather it is a peak into the applications of Mathematics.There are many anecdotes and historical lessons that follow naturally into exercises. There is a chapter on how the hexagon is the most efficient structure to build a mosaic, then examples are given that illustrate why pentagons or squares are not optimal for building a beehive. There are many historical lessons, such as where a concept originated from, or who propagated a certain branch of mathematics, and this adds to the experience of seeing mathematics develop throughout the book.The purpose of this textbook is clearly to pique your interest and not instruct. The book is filled with ancient puzzles and formulas for a given scenario, but you never learn to apply it elsewhere. The photographs in the book are difficult to see, this is exacerbated when an exercise asks you to count something indistinguishable. A lot of exercises ask you for impractical things, listed from most practical to least: Ruler, Protractor, Tracing paper, Scissors, Rubber band, Cards, Candles, Two mirrors, and a Razor Blade(for cutting the candle). There are several exercises that ask you to trace something and make several figures, then put them together, or make 10 copies of a figure and try to solve an ancient puzzle, the concept is to physically put the geometric shapes together, however, in practice, it is tedious.I would recommend this pseudo-textbook for piquing your interest in mathematics, not as an elementary textbook for trying to teach yourself, or others math, but rather of its many applications. Furthermore, I advise skipping the arts and crafts exercises and exerting judgment on which problems are reasonable and which are ridiculous.

Gteat book. It is a little bit used, but it is still readable. Would buy again from this seller

This is a go-to reference for math project ideas (I'm a teacher), more often as a source of inspiration than ready-made things. It also activates the "wonder" factor in readers of all ages, applying math to art and generalizing it for those interesting in the intersection of math and humanities.

This is without a doubt the coolest math book I have ever used. I love the way Mr. Jacobs allows you to figure out the patterns that ARE math. You just have to work through a few lessons to see his genius.

Don't be fooled by the copyright date; this is a great book. I am glad I enrolled in a logic class rather than college Algebra because I would've needed to buy the $250, 2013 edition book!

The book was written in so although the book is great, the seller is NOT.