Why is 2 times 3 equal to 3 times 2? One may think this is an axiom, but it has a proof, and a beautiful one at that. Elementary mathematics is as deep and as beautiful as higher mathematics. It includes some of the most important mathematical discoveries ever, for example the concept of the number, and the place-value method of representing numbers. We are so accustomed to this method , that we forget how clever and beautiful it is — resulting in its incredible efficacy.All this was a surprise for the author, a university professor of mathematics, when he went to teach in elementary school. He realized that good teaching of elementary mathematics requires understanding its fine points and conveying their beauty to the students. Sensing the beauty and understanding go hand in hand.The book outlines the material from kindergarten to grade 6 (with an excursion into algebra as well). It also discusses teaching principles, and their close relatives — thinking principles. Teachers and parents who imbue these principles are likely to convey the love of mathematics to the child.

Why is 2 times 3 equal to 3 times 2? One may think this is an axiom, but it has a proof, and a beautiful one at that. Elementary mathematics is as deep and as beautiful as higher mathematics. It includes some of the most important mathematical discoveries ever, for example the concept of the number, and the place-value method of representing numbers. We are so accustomed to this method , that we forget how clever and beautiful it is — resulting in its incredible efficacy.All this was a surprise for the author, a university professor of mathematics, when he went to teach in elementary school. He realized that good teaching of elementary mathematics requires understanding its fine points and conveying their beauty to the students. Sensing the beauty and understanding go hand in hand.The book outlines the material from kindergarten to grade 6 (with an excursion into algebra as well). It also discusses teaching principles, and their close relatives — thinking principles. Teachers and parents who imbue these principles are likely to convey the love of mathematics to the child.

'Circularity' is the story of a Janus-faced conceptual structure, that on the one hand led to deep scientific discoveries, and on the other hand is used to trick the mind into believing the impossible. Alongside mathematical revolutions that eventually led to the invention of the computer, the book describes ancient paradoxes that arise from circular thinking. Another aspect of circularity, its ability to entertain, leads to a surprising insight on the time old question 'What is humor'. The book presents the ubiquity of circularity in many fields, and its power to confuse and to instruct.See Press Release: Vicious circles -- confusing, instructive, amusing?

'Circularity' is the story of a Janus-faced conceptual structure, that on the one hand led to deep scientific discoveries, and on the other hand is used to trick the mind into believing the impossible. Alongside mathematical revolutions that eventually led to the invention of the computer, the book describes ancient paradoxes that arise from circular thinking. Another aspect of circularity, its ability to entertain, leads to a surprising insight on the time old question 'What is humor'. The book presents the ubiquity of circularity in many fields, and its power to confuse and to instruct.See Press Release: Vicious circles -- confusing, instructive, amusing?

This book is the result of a unique experience: a research mathematician teaching in an elementary school. It tells about a fascinating discovery made by the author - that elementary mathematics has a lot of depth and beauty, and that the secret to its teaching is in understanding its deep points.The first part of the book discusses the nature of mathematics and its beauty. The second part tells about the teaching principles the author distilled from his experience. The third part is an excursion through the arithmetic studied in elementary school, accompanied by personal stories, historical anecdotes and teaching suggestions. The appendix relates the fascinating story of modern day politics of mathematical education.The book was a bestseller in Israel, and has been translated into many languages. The extraordinary combination of mathematical and didactic insights makes it an essential guide for parents and teachers alike.

This book is the result of a unique experience: a research mathematician teaching in an elementary school. It tells about a fascinating discovery made by the author - that elementary mathematics has a lot of depth and beauty, and that the secret to its teaching is in understanding its deep points.The first part of the book discusses the nature of mathematics and its beauty. The second part tells about the teaching principles the author distilled from his experience. The third part is an excursion through the arithmetic studied in elementary school, accompanied by personal stories, historical anecdotes and teaching suggestions. The appendix relates the fascinating story of modern day politics of mathematical education.The book was a bestseller in Israel, and has been translated into many languages. The extraordinary combination of mathematical and didactic insights makes it an essential guide for parents and teachers alike.

What does mathematics have to do with poetry? Seemingly, nothing. Mathematics deals with abstractions while poetry with emotions. And yet, the two share something essential: Beauty. "Euclid alone has looked on beauty bare," says the title of a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay.A winner of the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title 2015, "Mathematics, Poetry and Beauty" tries to solve the secret of the similarity between the two domains. It tries to explain how a mathematical argument and a poem can move us in the same way. Mathematical and poetic techniques are compared, with the aim of showing how they evoke the same sense of beauty.The reader may find that, as Bertrand Russell said, "Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty - a beauty hold and austere, like that of sculpture ... sublimely pure, and capable of a stern perfection such as only the greatest art can show."

The book goes through middle school mathematics and techniques and methods of its teaching. It is meant to aid parents who wish to be involved in the mathematical education of their children, as well as teachers who wish to learn principles of mathematics and of its teaching.

What does mathematics have to do with poetry? Seemingly, nothing. Mathematics deals with abstractions while poetry with emotions. And yet, the two share something essential: Beauty. "Euclid alone has looked on beauty bare," says the title of a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay.A winner of the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title 2015, "Mathematics, Poetry and Beauty" tries to solve the secret of the similarity between the two domains. It tries to explain how a mathematical argument and a poem can move us in the same way. Mathematical and poetic techniques are compared, with the aim of showing how they evoke the same sense of beauty.The reader may find that, as Bertrand Russell said, "Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty - a beauty hold and austere, like that of sculpture ... sublimely pure, and capable of a stern perfection such as only the greatest art can show."

The book goes through middle school mathematics and techniques and methods of its teaching. It is meant to aid parents who wish to be involved in the mathematical education of their children, as well as teachers who wish to learn principles of mathematics and of its teaching.