Real+Life+Math+-+Erik+Zier

Atalay, B. (2006). //Math and the Mona Lisa: The art and science of Leonardo da Vinci.// New York, NY: Harper Perennial.

-This book illustrates the man connections between the art of Leonardo da Vinci and many mathematical and scientific concepts. Appropriate for all high school students.

Devlin, K. & Lorden, G. (2007). //The numbers behind NUMB3RS: Solving crime with mathematics.// New York, NY: Plume Publishing.

-This book explains how the television show Numb3rs uses math to solve crimes, and how law enforcement agencies use similar mathematical techniques in real life. Appropriate for upper high school students and above.

Dunham, W. (1991). //Journey through genius: The great theorems of mathematics.// New York, NY: Penguin Books.

-This book details many of the theorems that serve as the foundations of mathematics, including the history of each, a short biography of each founder, and proofs as well. Appropriate for upper high school students and above.

Mlodinow, L. (2009). //The drunkard’s walk: How randomness rules out lives.// New York, NY: Vintage publishing.

-This book shows how chance, randomness, and probability lead the daily lives of most people, and how an understanding of these things can lead to more informed decisions. Appropriate for all high school students.

Ouellette, J. (2010). //The calculus diaries: How math can help you lose weight, win in Vegas, and survive a zombie apocalypse.// New York, NY: Penguin Books.

-This book details the uses of mathematics in the everyday life of a writer, ranging from a daily diet to roller coasters. Appropriate for all high school students.

Paulos, J.A. (2001). //Innumeracy: Mathematical illiteracy and its consequences. //Dumfries, NC: Holt McDougal.

-This book focuses on the reasons people struggle with math, along with potential pitfalls that may result of an individual and collective innumeracy. Appropriate for upper junior high to high school students.

Poundstone, W. (1993). //Prisoner’s dilemma.// Harpswell, ME: Anchor Publishing.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">-This book examines the prisoner’s dilemma in mathematics and its application to historical events such as the Cuban missile crisis and the Cold War. Appropriate for upper high school students.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seife, C. (2000). //Zero: The biography a dangerous idea.// New York, NY: Penguin Books.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">-This book deals with the history of zero, its birth in religions and philosophies, and the thinkers who have worked with zero. Appropriate for upper high school students and above.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Singh, S. (2013). //The Simpsons and their mathematical secrets.// New York, NY: Bloomsbury USA.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">-This book features a compilation of the mathematics references seen in the television shows //The Simpsons// and //Futurama.// Appropriate for upper junior high to high school students.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Winston, W. (2009). //Mathletics: How gamblers, managers, and sports enthusiasts use mathematics in baseball, basketball, and football.// Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">-This book uses sports to make mathematical connections. The book details the usefulness of statistics and probability in sports, from the use by coaches to fans to even sports gamblers. Appropriate for upper junior high to high school students.

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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">-This site is a compilation of short, yet informative articles detailing the use of mathematics in any number of professions. The reader learns of the types of and reasons for mathematics in the real-world.

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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">-This site features a collection of real-world, contextual activities rooted in mathematics.

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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">-This site provides users with a look at how algebra is used in numerous real-world professions. Students see how math is used in everyday jobs, including non-typical roles.

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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">-This site contains a variety of projects from different levels of mathematics, all of which were taken from real-world situations.

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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">-This site offers real-life context to problems for students from 3rd grade through high school. The site creates problems that are relevant and interesting to students to attempt to increase engagement and understanding.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am sure many of your students would find the Mathletics book really interesting. So many of those kids can rattle off sports statistics no problem, but I am sure not quite as many know the math behind them or how they are calculated. What a fun way to apply your content to real life situations! I was certainly one of the math students who asked 'when would I ever use this?' These books and websites are a great way for you to answer that question! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Caitlin