Studies in Mathematics, Volume XI: Mathematical Methods in Science.

N

249

National Science Foundation, Washington, DC.

Course Descriptions; Curriculum; Higher Education; Instruction; Mathematical Applications; Mathematics; Mathematics Education; Physical Sciences; Science History; Sciences; Secondary Education; Secondary School Mathematics; Teacher Education

This is a course of lectures given by George Polya at Stanford University to teachers, or prospective teachers, of mathematics and science. One of the essential tendencies of the course is to point to the history of certain elementary parts of science as a source of efficient teaching in the classroom. The lectures include: (1) very simple physical or pre-physical problems that could be discussed at the high school level; (2) the relation of mathematics to science and of science to mathematics; and (3) elementary calculus. Chapter topics include: (1) history of astronomy-measurement and successive approximation; (2) history of mechanics; (3) history of dynamics; (4) physical reasoning in mathematics; and (5) differential equations and their use in science. (MP)

1979

ED162872