About this item
Two veteran math educators demonstrate how some "magnificent mistakes" had profound consequences for our understanding of mathematics' key concepts. In the nineteenth century, English mathematician William Shanks spent fifteen years calculating the value of pi, setting a record for the number of decimal places. Later, his calculation was reproduced using large wooden numerals to decorate the cupola of a hall in the Palais de la Découverte in Paris. However, in 1946, with the aid of a mechanical desk calculator that ran for seventy hours, it was discovered that there was a mistake in the 528th decimal place. Today, supercomputers have determined the value of pi to trillions of decimal places. This is just one of the amusing and intriguing stories about mistakes in mathematics in this layperson's guide to mathematical principles.
About the Author
Alfred S. Posamentier (River Vale, NJ) is currently Chief Liaison for International Academic Affairs at Long Island University, New York, and was former Dean of the School of Education and Professor of Mathematics Education at Mercy College (2010-2015) , New York, and previously (2010) Distinguished Lecturer at New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York. He is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Education at The City College of the City University of New York, and former Dean of the School of Education, where he was for 40 years (1970-2010) . He is the author and co-author of more than 60 mathematics books for teachers, secondary and elementary school students, and the general readership. Dr. Posamentier is also a frequent commentator in newspapers and journals on topics relating to education. Dr. Posamentier has a B.A. (Hunter College/CUNY) , M.A. (CCNY/CUNY) , Ph.D. (Fordham University) and hold Educational Administrative certification from NY and NJ. He has been visiting professor at several European universities in Austria, England, Germany, Czech Republic, and Poland, while at the University of Vienna he was Fulbright Professor (1990) . In 1989 he was awarded an Honorary Fellow at the South Bank University (London, England) . In recognition of his outstanding teaching, the City College Alumni Association named him Educator of the Year in 1994, and in 2009. New York City had the day, May 1, 1994, named in his honor by the President of the New York City Council. In 1994, he was also awarded the Grand Medal of Honor from the Republic of Austria, and in 1999, upon approval of Parliament, the President of the Republic of Austria awarded him the title of University Professor of Austria. In 2003 he was awarded the title of Ehrenbürger (Honorary Fellow) of the Vienna University of Technology, and in 2004 was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Arts and Science, First Class from the President of the Republic of Austria. In 2005 he was inducted into the Hunter College Alumni Hall of Fame, and in 2006 he was awarded the prestigious Townsend Harris Medal by the City College Alumni Association. He was inducted into the New York State Mathematics Educator's Hall of Fame in 2009, and in 2010 he was awarded the coveted Christian-Peter-Beuth Prize in Berlin.He has taken on numerous important leadership positions in mathematics education locally. He was a member of the New York State Education Commissioner's Blue Ribbon Panel on the Math-A Regents Exams, and the Commissioner's Mathematics Standards Committee, which redefined the Standards for New York State, and he also served on the New York City schools Chancellor's Math Advisory Panel.Dr. Posamentier is a leading commentator on educational issues and continues his long-time passion of seeking ways to make mathematics interesting to both teachers, students and the general public - as can be seen from some of his more recent books: Strategy Games to
