We use cookies to make your experience better. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.
Life of Fred: Real Analysis
Another serious math program for serious math students presented in the un-serious Life of Fred way by Dr. Stanley Schmidt. This program is college level, to be used only after algebra, geometry, and calculus courses are mastered. Real Analysis takes real numbers that were studied in algebra, and functions and limits that were studied in calculus, and asks the student to analyze them using the process of proofs that were studied in geometry. Dr. Schmidt calls these proofs "puzzles", and the idea is not to solve problems but to understand concepts. Some will be short and straightforward, while others will take some time to work through. Answers to all 113 puzzles are included in the back of the book; however, the idea is not to rush through the book, but take enough time to see the real beauty of higher level math. All the important concepts that start with mathematician names are covered: Cauchy sequences, the Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem, Fibonacci sequences, Schwarzschild radii, etc, but in a context that the student will enjoy and remember. Enjoy, because the text is so entertaining, and remember, because Dr. Schmidt explains complex concepts in such a clear way. So if you have a serious math student that can't get enough math, put this one on his desk.
This book covers Real Analysis, a topic studied by math majors in college. This math is more advanced than what most non-majors ever see, but it still has Fred, and he has a very good time with his favorite topic. Real Analysis is the study of real numbers, functions using the real numbers, and the properties of the real numbers and their functions. It is heavy on theorems and proofs. Calculus is a requirement before studying this topic, and Life of Fred: Five Days is recommended.
Topics include:
- The Real Numbers
- Sequences
- Series
- Tests for Series Convergence
- Limits and Continuity
- Derivatives
- The Riemann Integral
- Sequences of Functions
- Series of Functions
- Two Cow-Moving Theorems
- Looking Ahead to Topics beyond a First Course in Real Analysis.
Calculus is required before studying this topic and Life of Fred: Five Days is highly recommended.
Each of the 113 assignments/puzzles/questions that he gives his students calls for creativity rather than doing drill work. Some of these can be done in a minute. Some will take several hours to complete. They are all meant to be enjoyed. The goal is not to finish the book. It's just like life.
All answers are included in the textbook.
Life of Fred Real Analysis is a hardcover textbook containing 302 pages. This book is not consumable. All answers are written on separate paper or in a notebook.
Number of Lessons: 113 assignments over 10 Chapters. It is not broken up into daily lessons.
Life of Fred (LOF) is an unconventional series of math texts that seem accessible and friendly, especially for students who dislike traditional programs. According to Dr. Schmidt, the author, this series is designed to teach you the math you need to know without repetition, redundancy, and a multitude of problems to work. LOF follows the storyline of Fred's life while incorporating solid math concepts and skills. Motivated or independent students will appreciate this series, as well as gifted math students who might need a challenge. Written to the student and intended to be self-teaching, the author prefers that students use these with very little help from you, so they can learn to study and understand on their own. Even the solutions (found in the text) are addressed to the student. In fact, there's a lot of actual instruction in the solutions, which students should read after trying to solve problems on their own. Math in a story context can sometimes make more sense to students than stand-alone math concepts - especially if it's an entertaining story! Students do two books per year up through pre-algebra; beginning with algebra, one book per year.
Product Format: | Hardcover |
---|---|
Brand: | Z-twist Books |
Author: | Stanley Schmidt |
Grades: | 12-AD |
ISBN: | 9781937032524 |
Length in Inches: | 10.3125 |
Width in Inches: | 7.25 |
Height in Inches: | 1 |
Weight in Pounds: | 1.8 |