Graphs in Primary School: Playing with Technology

Abstract

Mathematics and Technology presents technological applications ofmathematics making use of elegant mathematical concepts. The selectedsubjects consist of: public key cryptography, error correcting codes,the global positioning system (GPS) and cartography, image compressionusing fractals and the JPEG format, digital recording, robot movement,DNA computing, Google's PageRank algorithm, savings and loans, gammaray surgery and random number generators. The authors highlight howmathematical modeling, together with the power of mathematical tools,have been crucial for innovation in technology. The exposition isclear, straightforward, motivated by excellent examples, and user-friendly.Numerous exercises at the end of every chapter reinforce the material.An engaging quality is the various historical notes accompanyingthe mathematical development.This book is intended mainly for undergraduate students in pure andapplied mathematics, physics and computer science, instructors, andhigh school teachers. The main prerequisites are linear algebra andEuclidean geometry. A few chapters require multivariable calculusand elementary probability theory. A clear indication of the moredifficult topics and relatively advanced references make it alsosuitable for an independent reader mastering the prerequisites.