James D Stein - Seduced By Mathematics: The Enduring Fascination Of Mathematics

Seduced by
Mathematics

The enduring fascination of mathematics

Problem Solving in Mathematics and Beyond

Print ISSN: 2591-7234
Online ISSN: 2591-7242

There are countless applications that would be considered problem solving in mathematics and beyond. One could even argue that most of mathematics in one way or another involves solving problems. However, this series is intended to be of interest to the general audience with the sole purpose of demonstrating the power and beauty of mathematics through clever problem-solving experiences.

Each of the books will be aimed at the general audience, which implies that the writing level will be such that it will not engulfed in technical language rather the language will be simple everyday language so that the focus can remain on the content and not be distracted by unnecessarily sophiscated language. Again, the primary purpose of this series is to approach the topic of mathematics problemsolving in a most appealing and attractive way in order to win more of the general public to appreciate his most important subject rather than to fear it. At the same time we expect that professionals in the scientific community will also find these books attractive, as they will provide many entertaining surprises for the unsuspecting reader.

Published

For the complete list of volumes in this series, please visit www.worldscientific.com/series/psmb

Seduced by
Mathematics

The enduring fascination of mathematics

James D Stein

California State University, USA

Published by

World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

5 Toh Tuck Link, Singapore 596224

USA office: 27 Warren Street, Suite 401-402, Hackensack, NJ 07601

UK office: 57 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9HE

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022017162

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Problem Solving in Mathematics and Beyond Vol. 28
SEDUCED BY MATHEMATICS

The Enduring Fascination of Mathematics

Copyright 2023 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without written permission from the publisher.

For photocopying of material in this volume, please pay a copying fee through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. In this case permission to photocopy is not required from the publisher.

ISBN 978-981-125-546-5 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-981-125-635-6 (paperback)

ISBN 978-981-125-547-2 (ebook for institutions)

ISBN 978-981-125-548-9 (ebook for individuals)

For any available supplementary material, please visit
https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/12812#t=suppl

Desk Editors: Balasubramanian Shanmugam/Rok Ting Tan

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Printed in Singapore

Preface Just What Does
She See in Him, Anyway?

Many of us know a bright, attractive woman with a good job and a lot going for her and a boyfriend who just doesnt seem to be in the same league. Its not that hes an unshaven slob but he doesnt seem to be the guy she deserves. And everyone has asked, Just what does she see in him, anyway?

Just what do you see in math, anyway? is a familiar question for everyone who likes, loves or teaches math at least when they encounter someone who doesnt share their feelings. Of course, its not just math. If you are a jazz aficionado or an American who likes soccer, youve probably heard something similar.

So what do you do? If youre a jazz aficionado, you find the most universally appealing jazz you can find and play it for your friend. If you like soccer, you find videos of incredible goals. But what do you do if you are me, and feel the way I do about math?

Thats easy. You write this book.

This book would not have been written had I not encountered several people along the way who made critical contributions. First up is my wife, Linda. She and her mother visited Taiwan in early January 2020, and when she returned I contracted pneumonia. Despite my saying, Im sure its just a cold, she made sure I got proper medical attention, including 6 weeks of caring for me when I literally couldnt do anything. Covid was putting in an appearance at the time, and Im pretty sure that had she not done what she did, I wouldnt be here to write this book.

Next are John Bachar and Ken Warner, two good friends and colleagues from California State University, Long Beach. Mathematicians are grouped in families in much the same way as real people are. Kens thesis advisor at UCLA was Angus Taylor, who was also the thesis advisor for Bill Bade, who was my thesis advisor. Johns thesis advisor was Phil Curtis, who co-authored many brilliant and insightful papers with Bill. Bill talked Phil into hiring me at UCLA, and John and Ken were instrumental in seeing that I was hired at CSULB and that I received tenure. Im grateful to have this opportunity to express my appreciation for their support and friendship over the years.

Oh, yes, without John and Ken, I would not be married to the aforementioned Linda because I met her while she was a grad student at CSULB. So, I owe them more than just a career.

And finally, theres Al Posamentier, with whom I have had the pleasure of doing a number of delightful podcasts on his excellent books, and who has enabled me to have my last three books published. Al and I have yet to meet in person, but Im looking forward to the opportunity.

My father used to say of someone, Hes a gentleman and a scholar and there are damned few of us left. I know John and Ken fall into that category, and Id bet large sums that Al does, too.

About the Author

James D. Stein is a retired Professor of Mathematics from California State University (Long Beach, California), where he taught from 1975 to 2013. He graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Mathematics and a minor in Physics, and received a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California at Berkeley. He has published over 40 research papers, approximately half in Banach spaces and algebras and half in fixed points, but has also published several papers in physics and mathematics education. He taught courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels but specialized in teaching courses in mathematics education and calculus, real analysis and functional analysis. He served as a Content Review Expert for the textbook adoption for the State of California in both 2000 and 2013. He is also the author of approximately a dozen books on mathematics and science for the general public, including