Dictionary of mathematics terms

This is a review of the 3rd edition (2009) which is is a fairly significant update to the previous 2nd edition (1995). Although an excellent mathematics dictionary, that edition was somewhat limited in scope.This edition's primary strengths are its compact size, allowing it to easily fit in a carry bag or computer case, and it's really excellent definitions. While not as comprehensive as some other mathematics dictionaries available in paperback (see below), this dictionary frequently provides more "user-friendly" definitions then its cohorts. Its main competitors are: "Collins Web-Linked Dictionary: Mathematics", "McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Mathematics", "Oxford Concise Dictionary of Mathematics", and "The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics". Of the five, this dictionary is the one most suitable for students in the last two years of high school and the first two years of college. It generally has the easiest to understand definitions and clearest explanations of basic terms, although its definitions are not as rigorous.Its primary deficiencies are its lack of pronunciation guidance, available in the McGraw-Hill Dictionary, and its somewhat limited coverage of mathematical terms, e.g., compared to the Collins Dictionary with over 9,000 terms defined. This edition, although almost the same physical size as the 2nd edition, is more comprehensive than its predecessor, but at the expensive of a smaller font size. As an example of the extended coverage here compared to the previous edition, there were two entries between 'Abelian Group" and "Acceleration" in the earlier edition compared to four entries now.Note that some reviews of the 2nd edition mention deficiencies present in that edition that have been eliminated in this edition. For example, "Descartes' rule of signs", "golden ratio", etc. are not missing from the 3rd edition, as they were in the 2nd edition.This edition still retains a vinyl cover. However, my copy of the previous edition has sewn in signatures, while the 3rd edition's pages are glued.No single mathematics dictionary can satisfy all needs, and having more than one can provide different perspectives. However, if you're looking for a portable mathematics dictionary for the last years of high school and the first two years of college this is one of the best.Considering the major improvements to this 3rd edition and its relatively low cost, its probably a more worthwhile purchase than its predecessor 2nd edition, even if that edition can be obtained at a considerably lower cost.

The Dictionary of Mathematics terms, 2009 third edition, by Douglas Downing can be held in one hand palm as it weighs little, about the same size as the Texas Instruments TI-83 plus.It covers mathematics covered in High School and the early years of College : Exponent and Logarithm, Algebra, Geometry,Analytic Geometry, Trigonometry,Calculus(mostly one variable),Probability and Statistics, Logic, Matrices and Vectors, some formulas in the Appendix.Demonstrations of important theorems (e.g. Pythagorean) are included and a list of Symbols to identify unfamiliar symbols.Entries are written in Capital letters.Excellent value .

After using James and James Mathematics Dictionary for years I was a little disappointed in this product. It does have good definitions and is a good tool for high school students and lower level math students in college. Math students spend the extra for the james and james. A good value for the price.

This is a "must have" for any serious math teacher. I teach secondary math through Calc and Statistics and consult this frequently. This is a replacement copy for me. However, don't make the mistake of ordering the kindle version. You definately need the hard copy.

It is a very useful guide in mathematics for large audience, but not comfortable to use its Kindle version. There is no link to letters in the Summary, that makes difficult to access and find the desired definition by first letter.

lots of visual representations along with concise wording and covers a lot of different stuff.(Not a math expert but seems a full and comprehensive text.)

I wasn't looking to be the next Einstein and got this book to use only as a reference. It hasn't made me smarter yet; but, for the price it has not failed to provide me with an answer I could use when dealing with math terms.

This book is a great little reference to help with all infrequent or easily confused terms in mathematics. Confused about the difference between the Mode and the Median? Can't remember what a Mantissa is? Just look them up.

Lacks certain terms, e.g. Epsilon.

Great

This book serves best as the quick reference to mathematics in general. I learned a lot about mathmatics a long time ago but I've forgotten almost all. When I browse thru this math dictionary,I feel like coming anywhere closer to recollection of what I had learned about math.The recollection has brought me to further study of past math learning.In this regard, the book is the most useful.