Joy of X
How Algebra Shapes Your Daily Life
By Michael Willers
September 2009
Chambers Harrap
ISBN: 9780550105233
176 pages, Illustrated
$28.95 Hardcover
Understand algebra and all other branches of mathematics and arithmetic will suddenly open up in front of you. The Joy of x is a collection of problems – some with practical applications, others designed as purely theoretical puzzles – designed to explain the basic elements of algebra to everyone, no matter what their level of mathematical ability.
Although it can be read from cover to cover, The Joy of x can also be read on a potluck basis, picking a page or problem at random. Its easy-to-follow format guides the reader through this fascinating subject, with a combination of exercises, profiles and background information.
- Discover what a formula really is, how to calculate mortgage interest, plan a journey time, or simply enjoy the theory and history of algebra
- Combines background information with absorbing problems and puzzles
- Explores the lives and discoveries of key mathematicians from the history of algebra
Table of Contents: 
Introduction The
Nature of Mathematics What
is Algebra A Short
History of Mathematics SECTION
ONE: ALGEBRA BASICS Types
of Numbers Part 1 Types
of Numbers Part 2 A
Short History of Pi Basic
Operations / Order of Operations Order
of Operations Equalities
and Inequalities Equations Factorization Radicals Simplifying
Radicals Polynomials Trigonometry Trigonometry SECTION
TWO: ANCIENT GREECE Pythagoras Pythagorean
Theorem Solving
Equations Plato Euclid Eulcidian
Theorem Archemedes Platonic
/Archemedian Solids Eratosthenes The
sieve of Eratosthenes Diophantus Diophantine
Equations SECTION
THREE: INDIA AND THE NEAR EAST Egyptian
Mathematics Arabic
Algebra / Persia’s Place in Mathematics Solving
Quadratics by Decomposition Al-Khwarizmi Solving
Quadratics by BaRF / Down Under Abu
Kami Solving Quadratics
the Quadratic Formula Omar
Khayam Indian Mathematics Brahmagupta SECTION
FOUR: ITALIAN MATHEMATICS Fibonacci Fibonacci
Sequence Golden
Ratio Tartaglia & Cardano Imaginary
Numbers Quadratics
with Imaginary Roots / Formula Ferrari & Bombelli Complex
Numbers SECTION
FIVE: DESCARTES AND PASCAL Descartes Graphing
Lines Graphing
Parabolas The Discriminant
and Parabolas Factorial
/ Permutations David,
Stephen, Graham and Neil Pascal Combinations Pascal’s
Triangle 1 Handshake
Problem Pascal’s
Triangle 2 Binomial
Expansion The coin
toss SECTION SIX:
EULER AND GAUSS Euler Bridges
of Konigberg Gauss Arithmetic
Series Geometric
Series SECTION
SEVEN: FINANCE Simple
Interest Exponents Logarithms Logarithms Compound
Interest Future
Value Rule of 72 Rate
of Return Regular
Payment Codes and
Ciphers The Caesar
Cipher
Return to main page of Trans-Atlantic Publications