Scattered Matherticles
Mathematical Reflections Volume I
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
“….By and large the discipline of mathematics does not breed collegiality!” “ .....With perseverance and hard work, my state of frustration slowly changed into self-reliance and confidence. It continues to pay me off.” “ …. You are defined by the number of pictures others take of you!” “…..Immortality is an infinite sequence of memorable events.” “…Joyous living is not a function of one’s will alone.” “…During moments of research frustration, thesis supervisor and student both should not fail to overcome it. That is where Gilbert stood out amongst the IU faculty.” “…The essence of teaching lies in enriching each other’s life!” “…..the instructor discussed one problem after our two weeks of frustration. It opened my windows of understanding!” “…The teaching profession from the stand point of an instructor rests upon three main pillars, 3C’s: Competency, Communication, and Compassion.” From Page 9. “….In the present social culture, there is no shame in being ignorant about mathematics. In a class, students constantly blurt out, “I don’t know, I don’t know.” From page 83 “….To a large extent, such overstretched students represent the spirit of America in defying the odds!” Page 110 “…….These days, a withdrawal from a course is far from being stigmatic. Withdrawal from a course, freely chosen, shows lack of commitment.” Page 138 “…….Ninety minutes in the museum and ninety minutes in the lecture opened my eyes again to the dark past, present and future of mankind. It tells what a single man can do, and what a man can undo!” Page 174 “…….The ability to communicate a technical subject is a hallmark of its mastery. In democratic societies, the experts often face non-experts like legislatures and community leaders on technical public issues.” Page 201
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
The volume comprises author’s mathematical writings through the year, 2006. Though nearly 80 % of Mathematical Reflections were written since 2003, a few, modified from certain articles, go back to the 1980’s. However, the subjects are time independent. The kernels of the Reflections are drawn from everyday classrooms to mathematical conventions attended. The style is compact wrapping a couple of strands around a central theme. Some of the Reflections, like Calculus Defines Civilization, have been widely circulated. A few have been published in the Focus, the newsletter of the Mathematical Association of America. They are all fine-tuned after getting feedback from 100-strong readers on my e-mailing list. The Rise of Bernoullis and Hopitals has a predictive element in it, as it is very common today in the academe where research, over teaching, carries all the marbles. A few Reflections are centered on individuals including my colleagues, students, and teachers. Perhaps, one or two may be mathematically x-rated. There is a unique blend of mathematics as a language with English of which the author has his own stamp. The book is an easy reading for its small bites. However, it is the chewing part of a Reflection that uncovers its soul.
About the Author
Satish C. Bhatnagar, Professor of Mathematics has been at University of Nevada Las Vegas since 1974. His roots are equally deep in India and USA. In 1961, he started as lecturer in his alma mater, Government Rajindra College, Bathinda, after finishing MA in mathematics from Panjab University, Chandigarh. He also taught in Shimla, Kurukshetra, and Patiala. In 1968, he leaped from India to Indiana University, Bloomington. After earning PhD, he moved to Las Vegas. As visiting scholar, he has visited India three times for a total of five years, Malaysia twice for three years, and for a semester in Oman, during 2009. Being an avid traveler, walker and hiker that keep him oxygenated for his Reflections on varied aspects of life. His interests in mathematics, history and literature have always been on parallel tracks