The Platonic Solids Book

Adapted from his computer-animated video, Platonic Solid Rock, Dan Radin's The Platonic Solids Book combines beautiful 3-D computer graphics with an insightful and entertaining journey through the mathematics and recreations of polyhedra. Paper templates and detailed instructions guide the reader through the construction of the Platonic solids, the compounds of the Platonic solids, and an origami star polyhedron. The reader is led through an exploration of the philosophical nature of mathematics in the contexts of polyhedra. Chapters end with guiding questions for the reader to ponder. Finally, an appendix contains six lesson plans that can be adapted to teach students from elementary school through college. The Platonic Solids Book is an excellent textbook, reference book, teacher's resource, and recreational reading for the amateur or seasoned geometer.

Author: Dan Radin
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 10/16/2008
Pages: 102
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 9.90h x 7.90w x 0.30d
ISBN: 9781434823731

About the Author
Dan Radin taught mathematics for thirteen years at the middle school, high school, and college levels. He has a masters degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Michigan State University and a bachelors degree in Applied and Engineering Physics from Cornell University. He has always been particularly interested in presenting students with the more beautiful aspects of mathematics. In 2007, he created a computer-animated video about the Platonic solids entitled, "Platonic Solid Rock." In 1999, he created a college course entitled, "The Art of Mathematics." The development of this course was funded by The National Science Foundation. In 1984, he created a snap-together educational model construction kit based on Buckminster Fuller's concept of tensegrity. The kit was called, "FANTASTIX," and sold in over fifty different educational stores and catalogs. The kit was a required material for a Design Science course at Harvard University. Dan Radin currently works with various state departments of education helping them develop mathematics teacher certification programs. For an up-to-date view of Dan Radin's mathematics education creative work, visit his website at www.PlatonicSolids.info.

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