Mathematics, A Human Endeavor
by Harold R. Jacobs
Reviewed by Martha Robinson
Purchase details: Mathematics, A Human Endeavor, Third Edition, by Harold R. Jacobs. Please support HomeschoolChristian.com by buying this program from our Amazon affiliate link.
Harold R. Jacobs originally wrote Mathematics, A Human Endeavor for students who had failed algebra and disliked math. The resulting text, first published in 1970, is a stimulating overview of mathematical disciplines such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics, and how they apply to real life. The author recommends this text for homeschoolers' use before algebra or immediately following it.
Using mini-history lessons, practical scenarios, and cartoons, Mr. Jacobs introduces each topic. The book begins with a discussion of billiards, a game of angles, and inductive and deductive reasoning. Arithmetic and geometric sequences are illustrated with chain letters, pyramid schemes, and rabbit reproduction. Quantity of McDonald's hamburgers sold explains the concept of exponential form. Logarithms are introduced from a historical aspect by recounting their discovery by a Scottish mathematician and further development by an English mathematician. Honeycombs, the Great Pyramid, and tepees are some of the examples for geometric figures. Probability and statistics are the final topics in the text and applications such as breaking codes and ciphers help to teach the subject.
Ten chapters contain more than fifty lessons. Each chapter has three sets of exercises, with the third being for advanced students. Answers to some of the set one and two exercises are in the back of the student text.
Instructor's Guide to Mathematics, A Human Endeavor -- The teacher's manual has miniature copies of the transparencies that Mr. Jacobs used in his classes and suggested ways to introduce the topics. It does not include detailed teaching techniques. Answers to all exercises are in the back.
Recommendation: Mathematics, A Human Endeavor will answer the question asked by so many parents and students: "Why do I need math?" It shows practical applications of math theories and disciplines in an interesting way and gives an outstanding introduction to advanced math courses. Use this text to make math fun and interesting for your student!
Other materials available, but not reviewed:
Student Workbook, Susan Knueven Wong. The workbook provides convenient work spaces for the book's problems, plus three types of additional exercises: supplemental exercises, reinforcement of past lessons, and exercises using graphing calculators.
Test Bank The test bank offers two types of exercises: drill problems, and more elaborate problems of the style found in the textbook.
Transparency Masters Over 360 figures from the textbook and other sources, keyed to specific coverage in the book.
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