The Best Writing on Mathematics 2011

Mathematics instructor Pitici turns out a second volume of unexpectedly fascinating mathematical research, musings, and studies that explore subjects from art to medicine. Contributors include the expected cohort of mathematicians and mathematics professors, plus a smattering of representatives from other professions: English teacher, software engineer, sculptor, and creator of mechanical puzzles. Rather than filling pages with equations and obtuse proofs, the authors tackle subjects of interest to the mathematically-inclined, such as: the Rubik's cube and God's number; compressed sensing in magnetic resonance imaging; the prevalence of autism in the mathematically talented; and mathematics in the works of Escher. Topics in math education include advice to graduate students, improving mathematics comprehension via literacy, and nurturing the "yawp"%E2%80%94or creating a passion for mathematics. Several make the point that the purpose of learning mathematics isn't to recite tables or solve quadratic equations, but rather to learn the art of reasoning, which will help students succeed in any field. From a discussion of the utility of mathematics in stone and bronze sculptures to a study of computing and its interaction with the sciences, readers from many disciplines will find much to pique their interest. (Nov.)