Humorous Historical Highlights

There's very little to smile about in algebra class. Or geometry, trigonometry, and whatever else may align with that ultra-serious discipline called mathematics. Or is there? Humorous moments may trigger insights that lead into the more formalized aspect of the classroom.

History certainly has its lighter moments, whether they are in antiquity (as in the Archimedean bathtub account) or the modern era (as in the Newtonian apple episode). Or, if not that, then the speculated forms of mathematics in pre-history and its Stone Age antics.

Many entertaining encounters appear as the pages of the history of mathematics are examined. Some relate to name mix-ups and some concern a ridiculous use of symbolism. Then there are the lighter moments of the more recent setting: glaring exaggeration, twisted logic, or even the legendary. Whether in narrative form, a poetic setting with a clever rhyming scheme, or in a cartoon format, each holds mathematics up in a positive manner that hopefully invites consideration of its more serious features.

Table of Contents:

RUSSELL'S REACTION

PERCEPTIONS

MOTHER GOOSE MATHEMATICS

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

BESIEGED MATHEMATICS

PRINCIPLE, PARADOX, PARAPHRASE

REFERENCES