Preface

Mathematics has been defined as the "universal language of numbers," a language whose basic principles remain the same for all users. Many routine activities, from balancing a checkbook to measuring ingredients for a recipe, require a certain familiarity with mathematical concepts and applications. In Macmillan's Mathematics encyclopedia, users will learn more about the function of mathematics in everyday life, as well as its role as a tool for measurement, data analysis, and technological development. Inter-disciplinary in scope, the encyclopedia provides students with a clear and comprehensive introduction to this vast topic through nearly three hundred entries commissioned especially for the set.

A Broader Look at Mathematics

For many people, mathematics and its basic disciplines—such as algebra, geometry, and trigonometry—are subjects of fear and dread. The goal of the Mathematics encyclopedia is to make these topics more accessible and interesting to students and the general user. Readers will learn that mathematics is much more than numbers alone—it is also an integral part of history and culture. Biographical entries highlight mathematicians who have made significant contributions to the field. Over thirty career-related articles offer examples of mathematics "on the job," whether it's a nutritionist calculating dietary needs or a photographer compensating for low-light conditions. Entries on applications explore the role of mathematics in our modern world, from everyday conveniences to global communication methods and a multitude of scientific and technological advances.

Organization of the Material

The authors who contributed entries to Mathematics bring a variety of expertise to the subject, and include members of academic institutions, math educators, and curriculum specialists. Contributors used their subject knowledge to write entries that are authoritative and up-to-date, but free of overly technological terms or scientific jargon. Many entries are illustrated, and numerous equations, tables, figures, and sidebars help illuminate the text. Unfamiliar terms and concepts are highlighted and defined in the margin, while cross-references direct users to articles of related interest. Most entries feature a selected bibliography, including Internet resources. Each volume includes a topical outline, glossary, and index, with a cumulative index to the entire set appearing in volume 4.

Acknowledgments and Thanks

I would like to acknowledge the support of my editorial advisors, Pam Garner and Dr. Ray Carry, for their valuable contributions to the scope and overall design of this project. I would also like to thank Hélène Potter and Cindy Clendenon for their unending patience and guidance in making the initial ideas for this encyclopedia into a real product. Finally, I would like to thank my associate editor, Dr. Lucia McKay, for her remarkable mathematical and literary mind, which remained sharp and focused even after reviewing hundreds of articles. I cannot thank her enough.

Barry Max Brandenberger, Jr.