Negative Math: How Mathematical Rules Can Be Positively Bent

(Paperback)

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Description

A student in class asks the math teacher: "Shouldn't minus times minus make minus" Teachers soon convince most students that it does not. Yet the innocent question brings with it a germ of mathematical creativity. What happens if we encourage that thought, odd and ungrounded though it may seem Few books in the field of mathematics encourage such

Reviews

"Alberto A. Martinez ... shows that the concept of negative numbers has perplexed not just young students but also quite a few notable mathematicians... The rule that minus times minus makes plus is not in fact grounded in some deep and immutable law of nature. Martinez shows that it's possible to construct a fully consistent system of arithmetic in which minus times minus makes minus. It's a wonderful vindication for the obstinate smart-aleck kid in the back of the class."--Greg Ross, American Scientist "Alberto Martinez ... has written an entire book about the fact that the product of two negative numbers is considered positive. He begins by reminding his readers that it need not be so... The book is written in a relaxed, conversational manner... It can be recommended to anyone with an interest in the way algebra was developed behind the scenes, at a time when calculus and analytic geometry were the main focus of mathematical interest."--James Case, SIAM News "[Negative Math] is very readable and the style is entertaining. Much is done through examples rather than formal proofs. The writer avoids formal mathematical logic and the more esoteric abstract algebras such as group theory."--Mathematics Magazine

Author Bio

Alberto A. Martinez teaches history of science and mathematics at the University of Texas, Austin. He studies history to better understand scientific creativity and to clarify ambiguities in the elements of physics and algebra.