We all learned that the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter is called pi and that the value of this algebraic symbol is roughly 3.14. What we weren't told, though, is that behind this seemingly mundane fact is a world of mystery, which has fascinated mathematicians from ancient times to the present. Simply put, pi is weird. Mathematicians call it a transcendental number because its value cannot be calculated by any combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square root extraction. In this delightful layperson's introduction to one of math's most interesting phenomena, Drs. Posamentier and Lehmann review pi's history from prebiblical times to the 21st century, the many amusing and mind-boggling ways of estimating pi over the centuries, quirky examples of obsessing about pi (including an attempt to legislate its exact value), and useful applications of pi in everyday life, including statistics. This enlightening and stimulating approach to mathematics will entertain lay readers while improving their mathematical literacy.

It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome you to the proceedings of the Inter- tional Symposium "Computational Modeling of Objects Represented in Images. Fundamentals,MethodsandApplications"(CompIMAGE2010)heldinBu?alo, NY, May 5-7, 2010. This was the second issue of CompIMAGE symposia, the ?rst one being held in Coimbra, Portugal. The purpose of CompIMAGE 2010 was to provide a common forum for - searchers, scientists, engineers, and practitioners around the world to present their latest research ?ndings, ideas, developments, and applications in the area of computational modeling of objects represented in images. In particular, the symposium aimed to attract scientists who use various approaches - such as ?nite element method, optimization methods, modal analysis, stochastic me- ods, principal components analysis, independent components analysis, distri- tion models, geometrical modeling, digital geometry, grammars,fuzzy logic, and others - to solve problems that appear in a wide range of areas as diverse as medicine, robotics, defense, security, astronomy,materialscience, and manuf- turing. CompIMAGE 2010 was highly international. Its Program Committee m- bersarerenownedexpertscomingfrom25di?erentcountries.Submissionstothe symposium came from 22 countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. Overall, representatives of 32 countries contributed to the symposium in di?erent capacities.

It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome you to the proceedings of the 12th International Workshop on Combinatorial Image Analysis (IWCIA 2008) held in Bu?alo, NY, April 7-9, 2008. Image analysis is a scienti?c discipline providing theoretical foundations and methods for solving problems that appear in various areas of human practice, as diverseas medicine, robotics, defense, andsecurity.As a rule, the processeddata are discrete; thus, the "discrete," or "combinatorial"approachto image analysis appears to be a natural one and therefore its importance is increasing. In fact, combinatorial image analysis often provides various advantages (in terms of - ciency and accuracy) over the more traditional approaches based on continuous models requiring numeric computation. The IWCIA workshop series provides a forum for researchers throughout the world to present cutting-edge results in combinatorial image analysis, to discuss recent advances in this research ?eld, and to promote interaction with researchersfromothercountries.Infact, IWCIA2008retainedandevenenriched the international spirit of these workshops, that had successful prior meetings in Paris (France) 1991, Ube (Japan) 1992, Washington DC (USA) 1994, Lyon (France) 1995, Hiroshima (Japan) 1997, Madras (India) 1999, Caen (France) 2000, Philadelphia (USA) 2001, Palermo (Italy) 2003, Auckland (New Zealand) 2004, and Berlin (Germany) 2006. The IWCIA 2008 Program Committee was highly international as its members are renowned experts coming from 23 di?- entcountries, andsubmissionscamefrom24countriesfromAfrica, Asia, Europe, North and South America.

Multiply math mastery and interest with these inspired teaching tactics! Invigorate instruction and engage students with this treasure trove of "Great Ideas" compiled by two of the greatest minds in mathematics. From commonly taught topics in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and statistics, to more advanced explorations into indirect proofs, binomial theorem, irrationality, relativity and more, this guide outlines actual equations and techniques that will inspire veteran and new educators alike. This updated second edition offers more proven practices for bringing math concepts to life in the classroom, including 114 innovative strategies organized by subject area User-friendly content identifying "objective," "materials," and "procedure" for each technique A range of teaching models, including hands-on and computer-based methods Specific and straightforward examples with step-by-step lessons Written by two distinguished leaders in the field-mathematician, author, professor, university dean and popular commentator Alfred S. Posamentier, along with mathematical pioneer and Nobel Prize recipient Herbert A. Hauptman-this guide brings a refreshing perspective to secondary math instruction to spark renewed interest and success among students and teachers.

If you've been waiting for a book that will evoke the delight and intrigue that mathematics has to offer, this is the book for you.
What are the odds of finding two people who share the same birth date in a room of thirty-five? Most people would guess they're pretty low. In actuality, the probability is better than 80 percent. This is just one of many entertaining examples of mathematical curiosities presented. Two veteran math educators have created the perfect introduction to the wonders of mathematics for the general reader, requiring only a high school background in the subject.
Among the entertaining and useful tricks they teach are shortcuts in arithmetic, such as ways to determine at a glance the exact divisors of any given number. They also demonstrate how the properties of certain numbers can lead to infinite loops. What is particularly exciting is how many correct answers turn out to be counterintuitive. Exploring all these features will instill insights into the nature of numbers, improve your ability to manipulate them, and give you an appreciation for the inherent elegance of mathematics.
As you marvel at the many unusual relationships and novelties revealed in this ingenious and delightful presentation, you'll be learning more math than you ever thought possible - and will be relishing every moment of it

Multiply math mastery and interest with these inspired teaching tactics! Invigorate instruction and engage students with this treasure trove of "Great Ideas" compiled by two of the greatest minds in mathematics. From commonly taught topics in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and statistics, to more advanced explorations into indirect proofs, binomial theorem, irrationality, relativity and more, this guide outlines actual equations and techniques that will inspire veteran and new educators alike. This updated second edition offers more proven practices for bringing math concepts to life in the classroom, including 114 innovative strategies organized by subject area User-friendly content identifying "objective," "materials," and "procedure" for each technique A range of teaching models, including hands-on and computer-based methods Specific and straightforward examples with step-by-step lessons Written by two distinguished leaders in the field-mathematician, author, professor, university dean and popular commentator Alfred S. Posamentier, along with mathematical pioneer and Nobel Prize recipient Herbert A. Hauptman-this guide brings a refreshing perspective to secondary math instruction to spark renewed interest and success among students and teachers.