This book is the only source that provides comprehensive, current, and correct information on problem solving using modern heuristics. It covers classic methods of optimization, including dynamic programming, the simplex method, and gradient techniques, as well as recent innovations such as simulated annealing, tabu search, and evolutionary computation. Integrated into the discourse is a series of problems and puzzles to challenge the reader. The book is written in a lively, engaging style and is intended for students and practitioners alike. Anyone who reads and understands the material in the book will be armed with the most powerful problem solving tools currently known.
This second edition contains two new chapters, one on coevolutionary systems and one on multicriterial decision-making. Also some new puzzles are added and various subchapters are revised.
Isotopes in Biochemistry.
Sample problems are solved completely in a step-by-step manner, and the answer to all practice problems are given at the end of the book. With Biochemical Calculations, 2nd Edition , students will gain confidence in their ability to handle mathematical problems, discovering that biochemistry is more than memorization of structures and pathways.
Customer Reviews:
Theching Quantitative Biochemistry.......2006-01-16
As a biochemistry teacher, I find that a large number of our students are defficient in their quantitative skills. This is because many of them are biology majors, who do not have the best math background. This relatively inexpensive volume bridges the math gap for these students. It also provides the teacher with tools that increase his efficiency in dealing with the problem, without taking too much time away from the materials in the course syllabus. Although it is an older book, there is no modern replacement for what it does.
Still Valuable After All These Years.......2001-09-14
I have taught Biochemistry and Enzymology at the undergraduate and graduate level for over 20 years, and have recommended this book every year, to every student. Although the field of biochemistry has changed greatly during this time period, certain fundamental concepts have not changed at all, and remain central to a true understanding of how to do biochemistry. These include acid/base chemistry, energetics, enzyme kinetics, spectrophotometry, and isotopes. Of these, the first three gnerally give beginning (and even some advanced)students the most difficulty. In "Biochemical Calculations" Dr. Segel provides excellent explanations of the most important aspects of these topics. He provides example problems, with the answers worked out in detail, and then at the end of each chapter he provides numerous practice problems (along with the answer). I know of no other source of such a variety of practice problems covering these topics. Any student who expends the effort to work through these problems will certainly gain the confidence to tackle the common quantitative problems associated with biochemistry. Clearly this is not intended to be a biochemistry textbook, but rather a supplemental resource, to be used to more fully understand the topics covered in the early chapters of all current biochemistry texts.
Wretched..........2000-07-05
This is an essential book for anyone looking to practice biochemical problems -- if only for the reason that books with as many practice problems are hard to find. If you're a true biochemist and love the subject ad will continue on with graduate work or careers in biochemistry, this may be the book for you. For everyone else... probably not. This book is very minimalist. No frills. It has an answer key to the practice problems but lacks any explainations to the answer. Reviews of the material covered in the book are scant at best and very technical. Few examples from real biochemical situations in living organisms are used. It does nothing to make you interested in the subject. The book also uses units such as normality (N) and Calories (C) rather than molarity (M) and Joules (J), the more modern and internationally accepted units of biochemical equations. I have also encountered typos and mistakes in the book in my studies. The only reason why this book is still published is that there are few other books available that offer so many practice problems. If you're looking for practice on any possible biochemical calculation, buy this book. When you're done with it, compost it. Or get $2 back by selling it to the local college bookstore. Biochemical Calculations wouldn't be so bad if a new edition would be written. Biology is a rapidly changing science, and a book that is now going on 25 years old can't compete with the newer and more reader friendly texts.
Beginning Biochemical Calculations.......2000-04-13
Segel's book is a concise and very clear discussion of the most important mathematical concepts needed for biochemistry. Each Topic is discussed briefly, and step by step example problems are presented. Practice problems end each chapter and require a thorough understanding of the topic covered. An excellent tutorial presented in an extremely clear manner.
Book Description
Considered to be the hardest mathematical problems to solve, word problems continue to terrify students across all math disciplines. This new title in the World Problems series demystifies these difficult problems once and for all by showing even the most math-phobic readers simple, step-by-step tips and techniques. How to Solve World Problems in Calculus reviews important concepts in calculus and provides solved problems and step-by-step solutions. Once students have mastered the basic approaches to solving calculus word problems, they will confidently apply these new mathematical principles to even the most challenging advanced problems. Each chapter features an introduction to a problem type, definitions, related theorems, and formulas. Topics range from vital pre-calculus review to traditional calculus first-course content. Sample problems with solutions and a 50-problem chapter are ideal for self-testing. Fully explained examples with step-by-step solutions.
Download Description
How to Solve World Problems in Calculus reviews important concepts in calculus and provides solved problems and step-by-step solutions.
Customer Reviews:
Okay, as far as it goes.......2004-06-05
Overall, this is an execellent book. My only criticism is this: The bulk of the problems focus on the use of differential calculus. Very little space is given to the use of integration, other than the usual "area under a curve" and "volume of a solid of revolution" stuff. Integration is useful for many other kinds of problems; they should be included.
Essential for calculus students.......2003-05-19
Very good, straightforward book. It leads you through word problems, the nemesis of all math students, and does so in a clear and sensible way.
Contains all the Classics!.......2001-07-29
I was first introduced to the mysteries of limits, differentiation, and integration in the Winter of 1966. I used a text no longer available, one that really stretched your abilities through the variety and difficulty of elementary problems offered up for exercise. Since that time, I have seen many a calculus book come and go where most contain the same old tired and unimaginative problem set. This book definitely fills that woeful gap. Not only does "How to Solve Word Problems in Calculus" present a great variety of classic derivative problems completely worked out, but it also presents the solutions in a step-by-step fashion, which helps the student thoroughly familiarize themselves with a basic problem-solving process as presented in an early chapter. One thing that I like is the emphasis on precise picture drawing that allows for crucial left-right brain integration--very important when trying to figure out exactly what quanity (and subsequently function) we are trying to optimize. If the book has a weakness, it is the lack of really new and innovative problems in integration. But, integration has traditionally been a subject that eludes elementary applications other than the usual geometric fare. Don't let this stop you from buying this great and valuable teacher resource!
Book Description
A perennial bestseller by eminent mathematician G. Polya, How to Solve It will show anyone in any field how to think straight.
In lucid and appealing prose, Polya reveals how the mathematical method of demonstrating a proof or finding an unknown can be of help in attacking any problem that can be "reasoned" out--from building a bridge to winning a game of anagrams. Generations of readers have relished Polya's deft--indeed, brilliant--instructions on stripping away irrelevancies and going straight to the heart of the problem.
Customer Reviews:
how to become a genius.......2007-09-14
If you want instructions on how to become a genius, read and practice this book. If you don't want to become a genius, but want to become a killer engineer, accountant, physicist, doctor, scientist, teacher or any other professional using math, read and practice this book.
Modern Math texts cite this book constantly. They elevate the 5 step process to the word of the (something). Unfortunately, the rest of the text is about performing step 3, solving the algebraic equation. Step 2, writing the equation is the harder part for most students. Practice step 2 every day, and you will become master of time and space. We got computers to do step 3, that's not the hard part.
I tell students this book is about how to solve word problems. It is not about math, but how to use it.
I found a copy of it in a stack of books in a sandwich shop on Main street. It belongs in every stack of books everywhere. It will improve the world.
Excellent book.......2007-08-12
I was turned onto this book by my boss. And it was a very good recommendation. I have had my group read it and even those in the group who were sceptics have been converted once I reminded them of the methods they used to sucessfully complete their projects.
If you want to figure out how to fix a satellite dish, program a piece of software or some other thorny problem, read this book. It will help.
Not universally applicable, unfortunately.......2007-07-21
Was hoping I could generalize the problem-solving tips here to my work as a programmer, but alas, other than a couple of great quotes ("simplex sigillum veri", for one), it's too much of a stretch. This book is really geared towards people teaching mathematics.
Great book for engineering.......2007-01-21
I know the original version seemed like it would be great for someone that study math or physics and was heavily involved with proofs. However after reading the whole book and with some time I was able to really apply it to how I solve engineering problems. I will be honest it took some trial and error but within a year I was able to completely changed the way I solved problems (i.e. it needed an overhaul). The area I use it the most is thermal fluid systems and have had many complements on the way I articulated or solved problems, and I'm not a genius. The book is helpful and for the price you could take away a couple of items with out a hit in the pocket and just be that much better at figuring out problems.
Hints for getting the most out of the first reading.......2006-12-17
This is a wonderful book. On a first reading it may seem a little confusing because the heuristics are organized alphabetically, rather than pedantically. This is not hard to overcome because Polya helpfully boldfaces related heuristics and by following the suggested threads you can get a fairly smooth read on the first reading. The way I dealt with it was I put sticky notes on the topics as I read them, so I could skim the ones I had already looked when threads hit a topic repeatedly.
I read this book many years ago, but it is still by my work station. I consult it when I get stuck on a problem, the heuristics do work.
For a first reading, the flipping around is annoying, but for reference purposes, the alphabetical order of the heuristics is quite convenience. I suspect that the first reading will not be your last, so the author's tradeoff was the right one.
Customer Reviews:
Not for mathematicians, more suited for social scientists.......2006-04-21
Mathematical problem solving, a.k.a. proofs, is a very difficult thing to learn and understand. There is no algorithm that you can follow, no sequence of numbered steps that will take you to the solution. While there are several different strategies that you can employ, the general patterns are generic so it is often difficult to determine which strategy is the most likely to lead to success. Furthermore, even though a strategy can give you a general idea, there are so many variations of that strategy that two forms can appear to be different strategies.
Wickelgren is a psychologist rather than a mathematician, so his approach to teaching problem solving is different from what most mathematicians employ. The prose is wordier than found in most mathematics books and there are fewer formulas. In terms of difficulty, the problems are largely within the grasp of an advanced high school math student. The problems are generally those found in basic mathematical problem- solving books. Liars and truth-tellers, covering a checkerboard with dominoes, identifying one heavy coin in a group of coins and alphametic problems are some of the problems described in detail.
I found the book to be tedious going at times, thinking that the author could have been much more succinct in making his points. This may be due to my extensive math background; people in the social sciences would find it more palatable. Therefore, while I cannot recommend it for math majors, I can recommend it for students whose math background is weak but who need to develop skills in creating and understanding fundamental mathematical proofs.
Book Description
Seven problem-solving techniques include inference, classification of action sequences, subgoals, contradiction, working backward, relations between problems, and mathematical representation. Also, problems from mathematics, science, and engineering with complete solutions.
Customer Reviews:
neat strategies.......2005-10-28
At first sight, this might seem like a book to solve math party puzzles. Indeed it can be used for that. But it also lets you understand strategies that may be applied in any context that a maths problem can arise. For instance, there is the idea of systematic trial and error. And a discussion of how to analyse what methods you have been using to tackle a problem. Very useful, because it might suggest other methods, simply by having you explicitly recap your previous methods.
As the book says, think about what you did, rather than about the problem. As an inventor, this is just what I do. Plus, the book recommends "incubation", where if you are making no headway, you put aside the problem for some time. Hours or days. Then, just maybe, your subconscious might operate on it during this downtime. So that when you later explicitly return to the problem, a solution emerges. This method is sometimes commonly known as "sleep on it".
Wickelgren cautions that this idea of your subconscious working on a problem might be bunk. He gives plausible alternatives. Like simply being less fatigued, physically and mentally, when you return to the problem after a hiatus.
Good on Details, but Poorly Organized.......2001-12-29
This book analyzes several problems, mostly in recreational mathematics, in fine detail. One feature worthy of emulation is that the book will present a problem, ask the reader to try to solve it, provide some analysis, ask the reader to again try to solve it and repeat this procedure for several iterations.
That said, the global organization of the book leaves much to be desired. It opens by showing several example problems similar to others that are solved in the book. However, some of these initial examples are not later solved. There was one problem in particular, a chess problem, that I spent some time on unsuccessfully trying to solve, whose answer would have been appreciated.
Wicklegren uses an artificial intelligence paradigm in the organization of the book. While AI techniques are useful for computers, there are better pattern matching techniques more suitable for use by humans. Hill climbing, for example, which is given as a basic technique, is good for use by a computer when no better method can be found. However, it is not well suited for hand calculation. Wicklegren tries to cover over this by saying that any technique that solves a problem by simplifying it, is an example of hill climbing even if there is no associated metric. There are several other places where the book tries unsuccessfully to shoehorn solution strategies into the few general techniques around which the book is organized. For example, the use of restraints is given as an example of proof by contradiction. Recursion and induction are lumped into a chapter on the use of subgoals.
By training the author is a psychologist who apparently took a lot of courses in math. This is a good background for studying problem solving and someday someone with a similar background may write a worthwhile book on the subject. In this book, it is painfully obvious that the author's math skills are a bit rusty and that the manuscript was not reviewed by anyone whose math skills are more current. For example, one of the solutions given is incorrect. This is due to a mental lapse where playing cards with numbers 2 to 8 are treated as if there are 8 cards instead of 7. In the last chapter, which departs from recreational mathematics, there are a few mathematical examples whose solutions are overly complicated. The most flagrant example of this is a problem that asks to determine the height of a triangle given the length b of the base and the two base angles of A and B. The straightforward solution to this is to consider the two segments that the altitude divides the base into to get the equation b = h*cot A + h*cot B. Instead, the book uses Heron's formula for the area of a triangle. The book presents an algebraic proof of Pascal's Identity without labeling it as such and without reference to the much more intuitive combinatorial proof.
Overall, I would barely recommend this book because of the way that the details are presented, but I would advise the reader to ignore the surrounding contextual presentation.
Great introductory book to Problem Solving.......2001-06-23
Buy this and Paul Zeitz's "Art and Craft of Problem Solving" and you'll be on your way to being addicted to challenging Mathematical Problems. It took a few readings for me to truly appreciate this book since it is an introductory book to mathematical problems. Many of the ideas presented are second nature to an experienced solver, but the lucid, clear presentation would be an excellent learning experience for the beginner. Topics discussed include Induction, definition of problems to find and problems to prove, avoiding "running around in circles," hill climbing, and a few others. I Very much recommend this book.
Distills mathematical techniques and makes them intelligible.......1999-08-16
Hi,
This book describes mathematical techniques separate from their (often confusing) formalism. This should be on the shelf of every undergraduate in math/engineering/physics. If I'd found this book years ago, I could have saved myself a whole lot of time!
Book Description
Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of math students more than word problems. In How to Solve Word Problems in Arithmetic, noted math teacher Phyllis Pullman defangs the dreaded word problem for 5th through 8th grade-level arithmetic students by emphasizing the mechanics and grammar of problem-solving, and focusing on problems involving arithmetic skills, area, percent, basic geometry, measurement, and statistics.
Book Description
Teaches problem-solving style by explaining the methods that experienced scientist and engineers use to define a problem, to solve it, and to present their solution to others.
Customer Reviews:
Highly recommended.......2005-10-19
I found this book really useful for setting out a method and format for creating elegant, accurate solutions to college physics and chemistry problems. I took physics 10 years ago and am about to take another course as I prepare for vet school. This book increased my confidence level. What's more, I actually feel excited to start -- a minor miracle considering how much I had been dreading the course. (This book does not assume you will be taking calculus-based physics; it would work equally well for calculus- and algebra/trig-based courses.)
Helpful.......2000-06-21
This book is a very helpful resource when first learning how to solve basic physics and engineering problems. It offers a perspective that the class text or professor might not convey to the students.
Average customer rating:
|
Statistical Calculations: How to Solve Statistical Problems
E. Joe Middlebrooks
Manufacturer: Butterworth-Heinemann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Probability & Statistics
| Applied
| Mathematics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Mathematics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
| Applied
| Chaos & Systems
| Geometry & Topology
| Mathematical Analysis
| Mathematical Physics
| Number Systems
| Pure Mathematics
| Transformations
| Trigonometry
ASIN: 0250401223 |
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