About this title: This perennial best seller was written by an eminent mathematician, but it is a book for the general reader on how to think straight in any field. In lucid and appealing prose, it shows how the mathematical method of demonstrating a proof or finding an unknown can be of help in attacking any problem that can be "reasoned" outfrom building a bridge to winning a game of anagrams. Generations of readers have relished G. Polya's deft--indeed, brilliant--instructions on stripping away irrelevancies and going straight to the heart of the problem.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date Published: 1988-11-01
ISBN-13:9780691023564ISBN:0691023565
Description: Used-Like New. LIKE NEW-Looks almost new, tight and solid with light shelfwear. Clean inside, no highlighting or writing. Textbook. read more
Edition: 2nd ed. Illustrated.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date Published: 1971
ISBN-13:9780691023564ISBN:0691023565
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 288 p. Contains: Illustrations. Princeton Paperbacks, No. 246. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date Published: 1988-11-01
ISBN-13:9780691023564ISBN:0691023565
Description: Very Good Text. Paperback copy of the 2nd edition in very good-condition. Spine is uncreased, binding and text also in very good condition. Front endpaper and title page have very light wrinkling at edges, probably from water. Does not affect text or binding. read more
Description: Acceptable. Ships from the UK. Former Library book. Shows definite wear, and perhaps considerable marking on inside. Your purchase also supports literacy charities. read more
Description: Good. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Edition: Second Printing
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
Date Published: 1973
ISBN-13:9780691023564ISBN:0691023565
Description: Very Good. 8" Tall. 253 pages. Light wear to covers' corners, yellowing to page-edges o/w in clean, tidy condition. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN-13:9780691080970ISBN:0691080976
Description: Very Good. 0691080976 This book is in VERY GOOD Used Condition. The pages, cover, and spine are all intact. There does not appear to be any highlighting or underlining. If present, it's to such a small degree to go unnoticed upon quick inspection. This Cover is Black in Color with White and Blue lettering. The cover shows some wear with some bending/folding in the corners and along the edges. Other than those minor imperfections, which do not effect the read at all, this book is in VERY GOOD ... read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date Published: 1988-11-01
ISBN-13:9780691023564ISBN:0691023565
Description: Good. This is a used book in good condition with normal wear and tear and may contain some writing, minor shelf wear and creases. Items are uploaded via ISBN and stock photo may be different from actual book cover. read more
Description: Princeton University, n.d. [Later printing]. xxi + 253pp. Trade paperback. Clean, unread copy. Small bump to bottom back corner. Very good+. ISBN: 0691023565 Includes problems, with hints and solutions. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: ANCHOR BOOKS, NY
Date Published: 1957
Description: VG. No DJ. Pages are clean, binding is sound. text block is lightly soiled. Spine is uncreased. Covers are clean but show minor edge wear and rubbing. read more
Edition: First Princeton paperback edition
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Princeton University Press, Princeton
Date Published: 1971
ISBN-13:9780691023564ISBN:0691023565
Description: Good. Used paperback in good condition, a little general wear around edges of cover but pages in very good condition. In this book the author uses specific examples taken largely from geometry, his principal aim is to teach a method which can be applied to the solution of other problems, more or less technical. Includes a "short dictionary of Heuristic. read more
Description: Fine. No Jacket as Issued. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. Miniscule rubbing, bumping or shelfwear to wraps. Spine straight and uncreased. Interior tight and unmarked except owner's name in ink on title page. 253 pp. read more
Edition: First Edition; Second Printing
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date Published: 1973
ISBN-13:9780691080970ISBN:0691080976
Description: Very Good in Very Good dust jacket. 0691080976. Book square, tight and clean with no defects. DJ with bit of damp stain to front, else VG, with no other defects. NO names or ANY markings.; Diagrams; 8vo; 253 pages. read more
"This book (1944) describes Polya's classic method for problem solving; in steps to understand the problem, devise a plan, carry out the plan, and reflect on the solution. It is written for classroom use and has puzzles, problems, proofs, and proverbs in the back. A great math methods book."
"Polya is a mathematician who wrote this book for math teachers. He discusses techniques for solving problems and for teaching others to solve problems. Most of his examples are from geometry and algebra, but the same techniques can be applied to non-mathematical problems. I found it useful to review explicitly these skills that I've been using instinctively since I learned them in school."
"This is a book I wish I had read at the beginning of grad school. How to Solve It is not as much about methods of solving mathematical problems as it is about various approaches to solving problems in general. The method he uses to teach problem solving is to apply the approaches to problems of geometry. This is actually in line with the ancient greek (Aristotle) opinion that the young should learn geometry first, then when they have learned logic and how to prove things with physical reality, then they can go on to things such as philosophy or politics.
The first part of How to Solve It are essays on how to teach and how to approach problems in general. His view on teaching is leading a student to think. Giving the student problems where the answer is not the goal, but the experience in seeing a new type of problem. This is contrasted with viewing teaching as a series of cookbook or algorithms to be taught. It also means the role of the teacher is to provide the problem, then give only what is necessary to nudge the student in the direction needed for the student to discover the method of solution. And presumably, to be able to develop methods for other problems the student has not seen before. Very much like what graduate school is supposed to be.
The bulk of How to Solve It describes a wide range of approaches to problem solving. Some are familiar to a variety of disciplines such as business, crisis management, or general analysis. Some are more familiar to those in sciences or mathematics. But the illustrations are understandable to anyone past a first or second year of high school mathematics, making them much more understandable then, say, a graduate course in real analysis.
If I was in the position of working with first year graduate students in anything, I would recommend this book as something to read before they arrive on campus. It provides a good first exposure to many problem-solving approaches and an exhortation on how to think logically and analytically, that will suit them well when they are faced with the complicated subject matter that is ahead of them."
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