Mathematical Meditations

Mathematical Meditations identifies, explores, and celebrates those aspects of mathematics that are good for you and your overall wellbeing. It is necessary for everyone to have a little time to think every so often: to contemplate, meditate, and try to understand where you are and what is going on around you. Mathematics can help you with all of that.

The Meditations in this book are the product of thousands of years of mathematical discourse. As you read through the book and work through the various exercises, you will discover new mechanisms that allow you to contemplate and understand some complex mathematical principles. However, the focus will always be wider than a mere dry comprehension of theory, as you will be encouraged to meditate upon the deeper intrinsic beauty of mathematics and what it can reveal to us about the world around us.

Features

• An original, engaging narrative format replete with novel exercises and examples
• Could be used in a classroom setting for liberal arts students, mathematics undergraduates, or high school teachers
• Accessible to anyone who wants to explore a different kind of perspective on mathematics

Snezana Lawrence is a mathematical historian and mathematics educator, and has been working in higher education for the past 15 years. Prior to that, Snezana was a teacher and teacher trainer in the English school-system. She was a lead consultant for the Prince’s Teaching Institute for Mathematics 2009-2018. Currently Snezana works as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Design Engineering at Middlesex University, London, teaching mathematics, mathematics history, and risk.

Snezana’s plan for the next few years it to write more popular history of mathematics books and to work more with teachers and people interested in identifying their local history of mathematics in libraries and museums where they live, across Europe. She was the Chair of the History and Pedagogy of Mathematics International Study Group for 2020-2024.