Product Description
This introduction to computational geometry focuses on algorithms. Motivation is provided from the application areas as all techniques are related to particular applications in robotics, graphics, CAD/CAM, and geographic information systems. Modern insights in computational geometry are used to provide solutions that are both efficient and easy to understand and implement. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

let my money back assp
I didn't order this book...

furthermore i don't saw this book.

How it can be happen?

Now I can't believe ordering system of amazon...

Let my money back asap!!!

Concise reference for computational geometry
This book covers the concepts and algorithms concisely and hence forms a very handy reference to Computational Geometry. You could use this as the starting point for any Comp Geom application and build on that. I am pretty happy with this buy!

Good book, not for a primer
The subject is not easy, so the book is surely not for a primer on graphical programming, even more for a primer on computation and algorithms.
But if you need some very advanced algorithms to solve any computational geometry problem, you'll find it here. Maybe the very latest advances on subject are not present here (a new revision of this book is available, not much news on that, look for the difference on the web).
Thanks to the author, whom I asked a clarification on an algorithm present in the book, and responded in less than 3 hours.

The definitive guide to computational geometry.
When studying computer science, one will encounter a number of books."The Dinosaur Book", Operating System Concepts (7th Edition), "The White Book", Introduction to Algorithms, "The Green Book", Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (2nd Edition) (Prentice Hall Series in Artificial Intelligence), and a select few more.The best way to articulate my satisfaction with this material is to refer to it as "The Blue and Yellow Book."

Each chapter is introduced with a problem.For example, "How would one install cameras on the inside of an art gallery (represented by a polygon) such that each wall can be observed with as few cameras as possible."The chapter then presents the material in a clear, concise fashion, and applies this newfound information to solve said problem.

It could be argued that the book is math heavy; certainly those with a strong grip on linear algebra and geometry will have an easier time, but those without can still grasp the material enough to benefit.For those interested in proofs, there's no shortage in the book, either.

Strongly recommended and a great deal of fun to read.

Excellent Background
This book is extremely well written, easy to understand, and actually is the standard text for Computational Geometry classes, as far as I know.The only thing I didn't like about it was that there seemed to be a few errors in some of the pseudocode.But, it's to be expected when publishing a textbook, and I think it'll probably be cleared up in future editions.

Overall, great book.I'd recommend it to anyone taking graphics or a computational geometry class. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by acclaimed author and mathematician George Simmons, this revision is designed for the calculus course offered in two and four year colleges and universities.It takes an intuitive approach to calculus and focuses on the application of methods to real-world problems.Throughout the text, calculus is treated as a problem solving science of immense capability. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Calculus with Analytic Geometry
I am a Chemistry and Mathematics major at Marian University.This book is the most readable way to learn calculus on your own.The author makes the information in calculus fun and exciting by adding in interesting scenarios by way of examples as well as history.This is a great book and I highly recommend anyone who is trying to learn calculus formally or informally.Absolutely the best reading math textbook I have ever encountered.

Perfect Review for Graduate Study
I am using this book to review calculus in preparation for graduate study in physics after several years out of academic study.Simmons is not only easy to follow, but also sufficiently rigorous for all but the most esoteric purposes.I have really been enjoying the brief but fascinating notes on some of the important figures in the history of calculus (Newton, Leibniz, Riemann, Fermat etc.), whom every science student should be familiar with.

The problems at the end of each section range from easy to difficult, and cover all newly introduced material as well as tying in previously covered material.I recommend buying the solutions manual which gives step-by-step solutions to all the odd-numbered problems.

Precise, Accurate, Elegant and Flowing
I own all of Professor Simmons' books not only for their mathematical clarity and incredible instructiveness, but because his books are, in addition, the most interesting books I have read from a literary viewpoint. They are a complete joy to own and to read over and over.

With reference to his Calculus text, it is clearly the best on the market. If you are in search of a deep understanding of the principles and applicability of this subject, then Dr. Simmons' text is the book to buy and own.
Bottom line.

Pathos.Tension.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat, from the first linear approximation to the last double integral.It's better than sex (well... maybe not)

change your life with this book
I originally learned calculus at OU with james stewart 4th edition, but came to this book through the MIT open courseware readings.I love this book and can't understand why math departments everywhere aren't using this as their text.Simmons' strategy for writing about calculus is unique, and in my opinion the best.He gives quite a bit of history and ties it into physics and the other sciences giving the reader a broad perspective on why the hell it matters and how it came to be.At most state unis, calculus is probably more plug and chug, but if you want a better source of material to supplement your class, buy this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Exposition of fourth dimension, concepts of relativity as Flatland characters continue adventures. Popular, easily followed yet accurate, profound. Topics include curved space time as a higher dimension, special relativity and shape of space-time. Accessible to layman but also of interest to specialist. 141 illustrations.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

geometry, relativity and the fourth dimemsion
too abstract. Didn't touch on relativity until the 4th chapter and had trouble following the book til then.

Well Written Introduction to the Fourth Dimension
A great mathematical read! Fascinating diagrams. Begins with accessible concepts for all who love geometry. Gets into spacetime later in the book. Considers some philosophical/spiritual elements too, but mostly geared toward math and physics. A classic read. Highly recommend!

Good intro to related topics to Special Relativity
I found this work to be quite readable and something I can introduce to people with less math background.However, reading the book raises more questions than answers in my mind regarding the history of mathematics.For example, non-Euclidean geometry has been around for a long time and is the basis for ancient systems of navigation.

Similarly, for those who have studied the history of astrology (and its initimate relationship in the ancient world to navigation and agriculture), a great number of things (for example, the divisions of the houses) are all based on spherical geometry and many go back nearly two thousand years.For anyone who has ever known that the earth was a sphere, many of these problems were largely taken for granted.The only real problem with disproving Euclid's 5th postulate has been defining parallel lines on a sphere.I am not entirely sure that Rucker answers this in looking at the flattened sphere because the sphere could be rotated to make any two lines parallel.

Otherwise, I think this is a decent beginner book relating to the subjects in question.It is a useful work and I would generally highly recommend it as an introduction.

Instructive, and interesting
I found the book to be both educational, in that I learned great deal about geomtery and the history of diemsions from this book, as well as being fun to read. Both interesting and intellectually stimulating--I find this combination rare. I recommend ths book to anyone interested in the field.

With few exceptions, it is a readable, stepwise explanation of how the universe is structured
To understand relativity, it is necessary to understand geometry, specifically how a straight line can be curved. For nearly everyone, any attempt to understand four-dimensional space begins with understanding how a three-dimensional creature would appear to a two-dimensional one. One of the earliest and still the greatest of all introductions to going up a dimension is "Flatland" by Edwin A. Abbott. Quite naturally and sensibly, Rucker starts with Abbott's rendition of the properties of Flatland.
Rucker then moves on to the idea of curved space, where the shortest distance between two points is a "straight line", which is curved by the properties of the space. The space that we occupy is curved by the presence of matter, as Einstein claimed in his relativity theories. Furthermore, movement causes shrinkage in the direction of the movement and the slowing of time, which causes time to become just another dimension of space. As counterintuitive as this may appear, Einstein's relativity theory has been verified over and over again to a large number of significant figures.
One of the best things about this book is that Rucker has included problems at the end of each chapter. These problems reinforce the concepts of the chapter; it is unfortunate that no solutions were included.
In this book, Rucker steps the reader through all of the background material necessary to understand relativity and four-dimensional space. With few exceptions, the accounts are understandable to anyone with an understanding of college algebra.
... Read more

Product Description
Building on the success of its first four editions, the Fifth Edition of this market-leading text covers the important principles and real-world applications of plane geometry, with a new chapter on locus and concurrence and by adding 150-200 new problems including 90 designed to be more rigorous. Strongly influenced by both NCTM and AMATYC standards, the text takes an inductive approach that includes integrated activities and tools to promote hands-on application and discovery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Very useful book.
The child I bought this book for is very very happy :) It arrived in 1 day.

Like New
This textbook was in very good condition. It was just like new; no tears, wrinkles, or anything. Very satisfied :) Thanks!

Geometry
The price was affordable it cost almost half the price from my schools bookstore. The book came in timely manner. As soon as I needed it I had it ready for school.

Elementary Goemetry for College Students
I still have not received this book.I am very disappointed with the service

Worst possible approach to Geometry in existance.
I do not recommend this book to anyone. I have taken both Geometry and Trig in High School and they were the easiest thing ever. This book complicates everything ten fold and wants you explain your reason for absolutely everything you do no matter how painfully simple it is. In the first few chapters, most of the questions are open ended. Instead of the focus of teaching you Geometry, the focus is more along the lines of teaching you Philosophy and how to go about proving things in massive detail. It even goes on to create it's own definitions of words that already exist but giving them different meanings. The actual Geometry is subtle and rushed, and you don't end up learning it unless you have an amazing teacher that steers away from the book and hopefully skips half the sections.

I really don't understand why any College in the world would use this book. But Riverside Community College only offers Geometry classes that use this book. It is absolutely the worst possible approach to Geometry. ... Read more

Product Description
Lucid, well-written introduction to elementary geometry usually included in undergraduate and first-year graduate courses in mathematics. Topics include vector algebra in the plane, circles and coaxal systems, mappings of the Euclidean plane, similitudes, isometries, mappings of the intensive plane, much more. Over 500 exercises. "...lucid and masterly survey."—Math. Gazette.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Book Review
This is a good geometry book far anyone looking to expand on their typical introduction geometry class in college or a college graduate in Mathematics. It does not read like a textbook, it appears the author already assumes you are a Math major or have already taken other geometry courses. The only downside is that it reads like an encyclopedia and does less "teaching" that a regular textbook would do. Makes a great reference though!

Goodto augment a textbook
I purchased this book to provide a second source of information for a college senior/ graduate level geometry class.It was quite helpful at times in giving second explanations of topics covered in class at a price significantly less than the class textbook.The book is comprehensive, and reasonably well written for a math book. One drawback was that it does not discuss Poincare's upper half plane model of hyperbolic geometry, only Poincare's disc model is covered.Inversions are well covered, and one could use this information to map from the disc model to the upper half plane model, so this was not a serious omission. I have no regrets about buying this book.

Clarity and Simplicity
This text - comprised of detailed accounts of Euclidean, Affine, and Projective geometries, a thorough discussion of the Poincare model of hyperbolic geometry, and a motivating chapter on Algebraic geometry - is remarkable for its clarity and simplicity. Very little is initially expected of the reader - a sound knowledege of linear algebra, complex arithmetic and trigonometry - and the proof style is not too formal. Considering the level of detail of its treatment (it's a little more than twice the length of Coxeter's Geometry Revisited, which shares a similar selection of topics) it is ideal for undergraduates or those looking for a good, inexpensive text for self study.

Throughout the text the author emphasizes the use of basic algebraic techniques as an aid to finding clear and simple proofs. In more than one case a result is proved several times, each proof illustrating a different technique. In the first chapter, the utility of the vector approach is highlighted by using vector arithmetic, inner-products and exterior algebra to prove several classic theorems of plane geometry. In later chapters elementary group theory, Moebius transformations and linear algebra are used extensively in the discussions of the mappings of the Euclidean plane, of the mappings of the inversive plane, and of projective geometry respectively.

Basically, this is a good, detailed undergraduate introduction to geometry. It's perhaps a little less entertaining than Coxeter's introductory geometry books but it has a much friendlier price-tag.

Definitely a comprehensive course
Be aware that the preface of this book explains that it is based on a course for junior and senior college students and first-year graduate students.This book is much more than the average person will ever need.A simpler approach for people like me who just want to prepare for calculus is Geometry and Trigonometry for Calculus by Peter H. Selby.

a complete and succinct book!
A wonderful book, value for money! If you are learning geometry for interest or to prepare for competitions such as IMO, then this book is for you! The theorems and diagrams are complete and straight to the point. Theauthor presents the informations in a succinct manner; thus it is easy forone to follow and comprehend. I guess it may be one of the most completebook on geometry in the market! ... Read more

Product Description

This volume covers local as well as global differential geometry of curves and surfaces.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Highly recommend
I really like Do Carmo's style of presentation, I can just imagine what type of lecturer he was. Though there are other books on the subject that are more concise a/o cover more topics, I believe Do Carmo's treatment is excellent for beginners to the field.

Another plus is that he gives hints on how to solve some of the exercise problems, which is essential for someone like me who very often studies a subject on my own.

A must of its kind
This is an excellent book. Anyone who wants to have a global view on classical differential geometry must have it (and read it!). As an undergraduate course's textbook, I find it quite difficult for the not determined student. Nevertheless, it gives the teacher the grounds to present a rigorous course. I fully recommend it to both students and teachers.

Good content, cheaply manufactured
The content is well-presented and instructive. My main gripe with this book is the very low quality paperback edition. After just a month of (careful) reading, many pages already falling out. The cover and content look as if they have been scanned and re-printed.

Update: by the end of the semester, my copy has now completely fallen apart. I wish this hadn't been manufactured so cheaply.

classical
It's a classical book on diff. geo. But it seems that the torsion in this book is different by sign from the notion in many other books

Great Potential - If Only a 2nd Edition Were in the Works
An earlier review said this book has few errors, and even then only typographical ones. Are we talking about the same book? The text is pockmarked - nay, cratered - with scads of dire gaffes. The skeptical empiricist should go to Google and enter these keywords: bjorn carmo errata. The first hit will be a link to a 7-page pdf file a U.C. Berkeley professor and his students created a few years ago which compiles errata they turned up. Seven full pages, and they only covered a third of the text! A sample item in the list: "p. 97, definition of domain: It is not clear whether the boundary is the boundary as a subset of R^3 or the boundary as a subset of S. Either way, we run into trouble..." The Heine-Borel theorem on page 124 is so botched up it's beyond repair, and even the basic definition of what it means for a function to be continuous on a set is faulty (p. 123).

The author claims a student should be able to hack the material with"only the most basic concepts" from linear algebra and multivariable calculus. Largely but not entirely true. For example, you better be up to speed on linear mappings defined by NON-square matrices - something no undergraduate-level linear algebra book in my library discusses (though I only possess a handful). Many of those tidy little results for linear operators from R^n into R^n you might know from Linear Algebra 301 become worthless when one of those n's becomes an m. I don't really fault the author for this, but anyone thinking about acquiring this text should know it is not by any stretch "self-contained" as one previous reviewer stated.

The biggest irritant with this text is the constant abuse of notation. When you're just starting out trying to learn this stuff, it most emphatically does NOT help when the author keeps butchering or truncating the notation in the interests of "brevity". For example, entire derivations are often carried out using only the names of functions and not their arguments. Maybe I have a screw loose, but sometimes I find it really helps knowing that f is really f(x) and g is really g(y). And then in a single section the same symbol, N, is used to denote three different functions. Okay: this N really means N composed with alpha, and that N is N composed with the parametrization x, and this other N is really N all right, but when you stick q into it you really mean x inverse of q because N's domain is a plane, not three-dimensional space...yeah...oh wait...

Over the course of a semester I wasted uncounted hours unraveling DoCarmo's infuriating and uncalled-for notational "short-cuts".

So why do I give this text 3 stars? Well, in using it I still managed to master the core concepts quite nicely, so it had to be doing something right. Yes, the exercises are challenging, but I was able to crack most of the ones I attempted. Maybe a problem would take me 8 hours to do, but I could do it. I would not say this book is "dated", as one reviewer put it. In fact, I found most of the minimalist, non-computer generated figures to be refreshing and adequate. Anyone seeking cookbook methods for computing things will be sorely disappointed: this text is written largely for students of mathematics, and I have no qualms with that (being a math student myself).

Truly, if this text were given a buff and polish, it could become 5-star material (in my opinion anyway). Alas, that's probably not in the cards. ... Read more

Product Description
Covers topics in plane and solid (space) geometry.Pictorial diagrams with thorough explanations on solving problems incongruence, parallelism, inequalities, similarities, triangles, circles,polygons, constructions, and coordinate/analytic geometry. Aninvaluable aid for students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Enough review and you get it
I wanted to get better at organizing my mind.You knew they taught Chess at West Point.Right?Well, Geometry makes you think.It makes you think in logical steps for problem solving.This book just gives example after example and exhaustively ingrains how to solve Geometry problems.Along the way it coincidentally builds your endurance for solving other problems.This may not be the best book or the most cutting edge but it has such a huge mass of answers and ways to arrive at them that you will absorb the methods.I like it.You might say that if you stare at these pages long enough that you learn by osmosis.I think there should be a book like this in every field of endeavor.Call it canned experience. Oh, a better typeset would be nice.

Excellent resource, really does the trick.
I bought this book right after I started a class in Linear Algebra where the first chapter had us working some geometric proofs using the rules for vector addition, subtraction, and scalar multiplication.

Although this book strictly focuses on geometry and does not use vectors in its proofs, it did clearly illustrate proofs that were easy enough to think through in terms of vectors.

The book is well-written and begins with a review of Methods of Proof, Lines & Angles, Perpendicularity, and Triangles before getting into specific geometric forms.

900+ pages and 900+ problems with a summary of theorems and properties at the end of the book.Some reviews at Amazon contain complaints about REA Problems Solvers, but I have always liked them and I really like this one.They are not intended to replace a textbook, but to give lots of examples over-and-above what a textbook would include.

For example, a few years ago I was studying College Algebra and I was having trouble understanding logarithms.So I reviewed the examples in the REA Problem Solver for Algebra and Trigonometry and worked some problems along with the REA book and then I saw how simple they really were.I have purchased REA Problem Solvers for Calculus, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra as well and have found all of them to be helpful with some being more useful or better-written than others.

One of the complaints about these books is that they are all written using a Courier-style font.This is true, but there are still Greek symbols, integral signs, exponents, etc (e.g. you do not see 10-squared written as 10^2 - they use a superscript for the exponent).Another complaint that I have seen is that they contain errors.I have not noticed any, but that does not mean there are none present.I do not review these books cover-to-cover, but take a look at those topics that I need to review, so I may not have encountered any errors but they could still be present.

Purchased new, the books may seem a bit pricey if you are on a budget (nowadays the books have a list price of $30.95 for some subjects and $25.95 for others, with discounted prices ranging between $17.95 and $30.25).I always buy them from the affiliated 3rd-party booksellers on Amazon.I got my Geometry Problem Solver extremely cheap $3.15 plus $3.99 for S&H - total of $7.14 and the book arrived in a couple of weeks and was in excellent condition (like new!).

Most of the time I have spent in the $12-$15 range (incl S&H) for these guides.Even if I only were to find help on a single topic within the book, that, to me, is still a bargain.Especially so if you consider the price relative to the cost of tuition and textbooks.If you are really price conscious, most college libraries have copies that are rarely checked out.Until my copy was shipped, I used the one in our library and saw that it had last been checked out in 2004!

p.s. I am 54 years old and went back to night school and started studying math 3 years ago with College Algebra, Trig, PreCalc, Calc 1,2,3, Diff Eq, and now Linear Alg.I have had REA guides for all of the classes and have found them useful in every case.

GREAT BOOK
A great book loaded with proofs for geometry (SAS, CPCTC, etc) and geometic problems (Pythagorean Therom). ... Read more

Product Description
You know that geometry is a math thing, right? You remember that much from school. You also probably remember that it has something to do with circles, squares, diameters, angles, and all those other terms that floated in (and probably right out of ) your head as you were cramming for all those geometry tests way back when. But your math teacher probably never told you that you'd actually use that stuff in real life – if he had, maybe you would have paid more attention!

Well, don't fret. You're in the same boat as almost everyone else. Geometry has about a million (a rough estimate) uses in real life – for example, you may have some home improvement projects you want to tackle; you have to know how to cut the wood at certain angles to make them fit together. ( Bet you didn't realize that carpenters have to be experts at geometry as well!) With a basic knowledge of geometry, building some bookshelves for your kid's room becomes so much easier.

Geometry For Dummies can give you that basic understanding of geometry, and you might actually have a little fun along the way. Written in a breezy, easy-to-understand, non-textbook-like style, this book helps you with all your geometrical dilemmas.

In Geometry For Dummies, you'll find out about the following topics and more:

• Understanding lines and angles
• Working up a geometry proof
• All those funny shapes: circles, rectangles, triangles, and the ever versatile polygon
• Having your Pi and eating it, too
• Taking the next step into trigonometry
• Doing someone a solid: Exploring prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, and spheres
• Top Ten list of cool careers that use geometry and tips for making geometry easier
• Appendices with formulas, theorems, and other helpful geometry resources

So whatever your reason for wanting to learn geometry – a home improvement project, helping your kid with his or her homework, or just a fascination with funny shapes – Geometry For Dummies is just what you need to recall what you learned in school and put it to good use. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

A Great Investment of Your Money
I purchased this book for my 15 yr., and he told me that it was very helpful. It explains things in a way that makes it easier to understand.

I Love Math - Great Help for kids to learn how to apply them selves
Added to Library with other books to help communicate ideas and thoughts to kids.Variety in communicating is a great way to see other angles to help kids figure out how things work.

Now Very Helpful
We purchased this book along with the workbook to give my son an extra reference for his geometry class.With few examples in the book to illustrate the concept and no worked out answers in the workbook to see where you may have made a mistake, it was a waste of money for us.

Quick review but it might just confuse you
Easy read/review of geometry, but so many mistakes in the proofs that it doesn't seem like anyone edited the thing.

Simple yet Effective
This is a book written in simple terms and explanations about Geometry. It is not a deep venture into the subject but is meant to be a thought provoking tool to stimulate detuctive reasoning and apply logic to material presnted in this book. This is a starting point for the person who knows very little about Geometry but is going to delve into it. ... Read more

Product Description

Curves and surfaces are objects that everyone can see, and many of the questions that can be asked about them are natural and easily understood. Differential geometry is concerned with the precise mathematical formulation of some of these questions. It is a subject that contains some of the most beautiful and profound results in mathematics yet many of these are accessible to higher-level undergraduates.

Elementary Differential Geometry presents the main results in the differential geometry of curves and surfaces suitable for a first course on the subject. Prerequisites are kept to an absolute minimum – nothing beyond first courses in linear algebra and multivariable calculus – and the most direct and straightforward approach is used throughout.

New features of this revised and expanded second edition include:

• a chapter on non-Euclidean geometry, a subject that is of great importance in the history of mathematics and crucial in many modern developments. The main results can be reached easily and quickly by making use of the results and techniques developed earlier in the book.
• Coverage of topics such as: parallel transport and its applications; map colouring; holonomy and Gaussian curvature.
• Around 200 additional exercises, and a full solutions manual for instructors, available via www.springer.com

Praise for the first edition:

"The text is nicely illustrated, the definitions are well-motivated and the proofs are particularly well-written and student-friendly…this book would make an excellent text for an undergraduate course, but could also well be used for a reading course, or simply read for pleasure."

Australian Mathematical Society Gazette

"Excellent figures supplement a good account, sprinkled with illustrative examples."

Times Higher Education Supplement

Customer Reviews (7)

Definately a good begineers book
If you want a very general introduction of Differential Geometry, this is the book to start. Very nicely written text. Understandable examples. Broad coverage of materials . Explains space curves and surface properties with amazing quality. Recommended as a beginners level introduction

Very appropriate for self-study
It's a very good book overall, especially if you like to spend more time reading on your own than in a classroom.

Written to teach rather than to impress
I have purchased hundreds of technical books and really treasure the ones that seem to have been written in order to really convey the material rather than impress the reader with how smart the author is. This is such a book. The material is remarkably clear and the author's style strikes me as a notable example of the mathematical writing styles put forth in the articles comprising the text "How to Write Mathematics." For example, the material proceeds in a logical chain such that the reader is never confronted with a term or concept before it has been explained. The notation is defined meticulously and repeatedly so the reader is not forced to continually refer backwards through the text to remember the meaning of the symbols. This also is a boon for "grasshopper readers" who will use the text as a reference, as opposed to a linear reader. Symbols don't change meaning, are not overloaded, and seem to have been chosen for intuitive appeal. For example, a lower-case gamma denotes a parametric function for a curve and, to me, the shape of the gamma suggests the sorts of curves being discussed. In my experience, this book is best in class.

An enjoyable text on the subject!
I've been looking for a decent book on differential geometry for years now.Most of the good ones are fairly pricey, or require the reader to have a deep knowledge of mathematics.This fits in neither category.You only need multi variable calculus, linear algebra, and some experience with reading/writing proofs.This book will also appeal to those who want to learn on their own, as every problem has a hint/solution in the back.

Dissapointing
The book starts ok, but very quickly deteriorates into the classical boring math style of theorem-proof. There are a million books on the subject matter, and I don't see the need of another one which is pretty much identical. It is not a bad book, but has absolutely no added value - just pick any of the differential geometry books out there, and they will be the exact same thing. Why do they bother writing the same book over and over?? ... Read more

Product Description
Is there a geometric design to the universe? The ancient Greeks, Mayans, Egyptians, and others believed so, as evidenced by their use of nature's recurring mathematical patterns in architecture, music, and language. Today, this "sacred geometry" finds new expression in the creations of Dutch graphic artist Janosh, whose work has swept across Europe. With SacredGeometry, he shares the life-changing gift revealed to him in a series of meditative visions he received from an energetic intelligence he calls the Arcturians. How does it work? "The geometric forms," Janosh explains, "provide an extra dimension to our natural senses, activating our physical, emotional, and spiritual evolution." Sacred Geometry gives you all the tools you need to realize your highest aspirations, including:* 33 stunning contemplation cards, each with a hologram and its corresponding theme--plus a display easel* 100-page tracing-paper pad and pencil for a kinesthetic experience with the holograms that "imprints" their underlying messages into your consciousness* 80-page hardcover journal for deeper reflection on the qualities and goals you are working towardAlso featuring an 89-page study guide explaining the principles and practical applications of sacred geometry, and a music CD by neuropsychologist John Consemulder for relaxation and focus while contemplating Janosh's art, Sacred Geometry will assist you in the activation of your ultimate potential. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

wonderful and inspiring
This cards are great and bring me a lots of joy and inspiration every time I play with them. I recommend it to everybody, who wants to work with awakening of inner codes or just for pure pleasure of enjoying an amazing art!

Simply amazing.
Sacred Geometry by Janosh is a beautifully designed, high quality product.The artwork on the enclosed cards is absolutely stunning. I have never experienced such a strong physical experience by viewing art before.It feels both powerful and healing. With the enclosed card holder, I am able to display a new card on my table every day.I am thrilled to have this set and would definitely buy it as a gift for family & friends!

Simply Amazing!
Wow, what can I say?This artist is incredibly talented.The entire kit is wonderful and this is one of the best purchases I have made on Amazon.The book that comes with the kit is really simple and informative.I would recommend this as a gift to anyone who is interested in: new thought, mysticsm, personal transformation or any related subjects.

sacred geometry
I am only beginning to learn of sacred geometry and this explains it simply. It is more for meditation and if you use it, creates thought provoking results. It also comes with a pad for tracing and that can be meditative as well. It is not appealing to all but it is fun.

Fantastic Sacred Geometry Kit!
"Soon after I created the first images, I began receiving information about the significance of these holographic and geometrical visions. This information was delivered intuitively, and I was told that I was receiving it from the Arcturians--highly intelligent entities from another dimension. These entities exist in a different yet parallel frequency, and communicate with our intuitive senses rather than through written language." - From the Sacred Geometry study guide

From Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man to crop circles, nautilus shells to Egyptian pyramids, patterns involving sacred geometry permeate our world. Even sunflower seed heads, pinecones and growth patterns in trees reflect nature's fractals. The organizing principle of sacred geometry spans architecture, paintings, Sanskrit poetry, and even musical compositions.

During the Harmonic Concordance of 2003, Dutch graphic designer Janosh heard the call to meditate for worldwide peace. This was unusual, considering the artist was not at all interested in spiritual topics or meditation at the time.

Several days later, he began to have visions of transparent energies captured in three-dimensional form and began reproduce them through is art. After posting the artwork on his website, he received surprising feedback: apparently, the images were identical to crop circles...a phenomenon he'd of course heard of, but never pondered nor studied.

In the innovative Sacred Geometry kit published by Sounds True, Janosh incorporates a variety of materials designed to help individuals embody and experience the messages of sacred geometry, including a 33-card deck, a pad of 100 tracing papers, soft cover 89-page study guide, specialized 80-page hardcover journal and a pencil.

The breathtaking cards measure 6 ¼ x 4 ¼ inches, with one side showing an explosion of vibrant hues imbuing pearlescent spheres, shimmering lines, and mesmerizing spirals with kaleidoscopic wonder. The other side of the cards depicts a keyword and geometric patterns of squares, lines and circles called "energetic silver codes".

The combinations of multi-color holograms with the codes are called Keys "because they unlock potentials that already exist inside of us". Janosh calls this collection the Keys of the Arcturians.

This box set, which has an easy-open magnetic lid, also comes with a relaxing hour-long musical CD by neuropsychologist John Consemulder, as well as small portable easel for displaying a particular card for meditation or oracular insight. The 8-track CD, featuring vocals by popular Dutch DJ/MC Renske Skills, provides a wonderful backdrop for tracing the silver codes, contemplating the cards, or playing on its own.

The study guide explains four ways to use the Sacred Geometry set: as an intuitive oracle, an intentional oracle, for subliminal messages, tracing codes and self-inquiry with the Sacred Geometry journal. The hardcover journal details a fascinating and accessible process for selecting a "Key of the Week", as well as a "Support Key" and "Question of the Week".

The unique journal provides spaces to record these Keyes, as well as your weekly reflection. Arguably the most interesting part of the Sacred Geometry journal is the section delineating each day of the week where you record a reminder (something that happened that day), your feeling, and +/- to circle if your overall mood for the day (positive or negative). This helps you keep track of your week, especially in light of the Keys you've drawn or are meditating upon.

I've had great success with the Sacred Geometry kit and recommend it highly. I particularly enjoy tracing the silver keys, especially since carpal tunnel prevents me from coloring mandalas. I find tracing the keys even more relaxing and centering than coloring mandalas, and much quicker to do.

My husband is fascinated with the images from the deck, and my 9-year old son uses the easel for displaying a card when he does his homework. A "Crystal" child with a sensitive system, my son sometimes resists certain exercises during homeschooling, and his chosen cards seem have a positive affect on him.

If you're interested in sacred geometry, holograms, fractal art and tactile meditation tools, the Sacred Geometry kit from Sounds True would be perfect for yourself--as well as a gift for those you love.

(To see 6 images from the deck in this kit, visit JanetBoyer.com)

Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing) ... Read more

Product Description
This classic study probes the geometric interrelationships between art and life in discussions that range from Plato, Pythagoras and Archimedes to modern architecture and art, flowers, shells and marine life, the human face and much, much more. Also explored: the Golden Section, geometrical shapes on the plane, geometrical shapes in space, crystal lattices and many other fascinating topics.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Golden.
I read this book 36 years ago , when finishinginternship in an architectural firm. While I did not pursue Architecture , I discovered this gem of a book , which explains to you in simple terms what the Golden Number is , and how theGolden section is used in Art. A must for those who believe in aesthetics rules for just about everything created by an artist, or by nature.

Managing Geometry In Time and Space
The Geometry Of Art And Life by Matila Ghyka is an interesting book that pertains primarily to ancient information regarding the fiine arts. Geometry unites all aspects of this book. All aspects of geometry are utilized to manage the organic and inorganic in time and space.

Excellent and Insightful
This short paperback is a hidden gem.It contains so many insightful pithy clues about life, along with easy to understand mathematical paradigms.Every item will have you saying is this math, is it philosophy, is it religion, or is just true in many, many ways.

Shows how mathematics intertwines with the arts and biology
This book is a unique one that combines mathematics with art and somewhat quantifies that which we call beauty. The mathematical concepts presented are not difficult. If you've been exposed to algebra and geometry you should have no trouble. What will definitely help is having studied art, and in particular, art appreciation. With no real feeling for symmetry or form you might not appreciate this book as much as you could.

The book's central focus is to show that patterns, themes of symmetry, and spirals discovered in living forms and living growth are the same themes of proportion that were used by Greek and Gothic architects. It also shows that the proportion known as "The Golden Section" appears to be the principle invariant. The Golden Section's algebraic and geometric properties are discussed, as are its role in biology and in aesthetics.

This book is very accessible, but it is not something you will want to read quickly cover to cover. Instead, the best way to read this book is to read a short section, make sure you understand the underlying mathematics, and then think about what that particular section of thebook says about the application of that mathematics to the arts or biology before returning to the book for further reading.

Lacking depth in analysis
Ghyka attempts to show the objects in nature are not randomly formed; he begins the with the concept of ratio and proportion in the plane; the golden section; and then to the regular polygons and geometric shapes in 3 dimensions.Then he rambles onto hypothesizing why an architecture design may seem striking. In doing so he makes gross assumptions which are to the point of being forced to fit his theories.The basic concepts that he delves; one can familiarize oneself with by a quick reference on the internet. Hence I do not recommend spending the time and money to read this book.

... Read more

Product Description
Written for students who need a refresher on Plane Euclidean Geometry, Essentials of Geometry for College Students, Second Edition, incorporates the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC) and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards on geometry, modeling, reasoning, communication, technology, and deductive proof. To make learning interactive and enjoyable, this new edition includes exciting new features such as Technology Connections and Hands-on Activities. Knowledge of beginning algebra and a scientific calculator are required for this text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Essentials of Geometry for College Students
I'm very pleased with this purchase. The book came promptly and was in good condition. I would definitely order from this seller again

Not for serious geometry students
I only own a copy of the first edition (1990), but unless adding a new author (Brown) or drastically changing the text has greatly improved anything, the book doesn't try for much more than its title indicates.Like many other college introductory geometry texts, this isn't much more than high-school-level geometry without all the colorful pictures and stories that are supposed to make the topic fun and show the application of geometry to our lives (making this book about a third the size of most high school texts).
This book is not bad, and is probably fine for the student whojust needs a basic understanding of Euclidean plane geometry (with chapters on solid and analytical geometry, and trig).Many of the theorems are proved (two-column proofs).The exercises are more into reinforcing the chapter contents (solving numerical problems and showing concept understanding) than in exploring new material and applications.
For authors that introduce a more rigorous approach, and show how beautiful geometry can be; try Coxeter and Posamentier. ... Read more

Product Description
Develops a simple non-Euclidean geometry and explores some of its practical applications through graphs, research problems, and exercises. Includes selected answers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent for high school teachers and students
I use the ideas in this book in my mathematics teaching in high school. Students learn to think of the world as Euclidean through most of their instruction; Taxicab Geoemetry gives teachers a very straghtforward way to introduce non-Eucliean Geometry. Admittedly, this book is not thorough, and it is very open ended (which I consider to be positive). Nevertheless, for its intended audience it is outstanding.

Disappointing
Very simplistic treatment, with some results left for the reader to work through exercises.The chapters are almost non-existent, with all the book being mainly exercises.

Excellent for what it is
Before purchasing this book, realize what it is.This is a book about non-euclidean geometry.Specifically, a specialized form of non-euclidian geometry affectionately referred to as taxi-cab geometry.This is not atable top book, but is a book for mathemeticians and those interested inmathematics.Others need not apply (regardless of how interesting thetopic is).This is an excellent introduction to non-euclidean geometrybecause it strips away common misconceptions about the nature ofnon-euclidean geometries.This text is excellent for grade school childrenand those who would like to branch into more advanced non-euclideangeometries like hyperbolic.

This is a book for a math student only.
I thought that this book would be about geometry of exotic (but real)places in outer space (such as a black hole, for example).Instead, itturned out to be a lethally boring book, full of math problems, that wasLESS interesting than my geometry book in high school!

A simple, real-world example of non-Euclidean geometry
Some years ago, I was employed by a company that built mapping software. One of the projects I worked on was the design of features that allowed for the computation of the shortest path from one position to another followingonly roads. This form of travel is similar to the taxicab geometry in thatmovement is restricted to lines. The only difference is that roads can beplaced at any location or angle whereas the lines in taxicab geometry areequidistant and perpendicular. Think of it as the geometry of graph paper.As I constructed the program, I was struck by how so much of classicalEuclidean geometry does not apply. Yet, the geometry is generally easier tounderstand because it is almost always how we move from place to place.
The phrase non-Euclidean geometry generally conjures up thoughts ofcurved space and Riemannian geometry. However, in this delightfully simplebook, a natural non-Euclidean geometry is developed in great detail. Verylittle mathematics is needed to understand the geometry, if you can markand understand the points on a grid of graph paper, nearly all of thetopics will make sense. A large number of problems are included at the endof each chapter and solutions to many appear in an appendix.
Theproblems cover topics such as finding the point(s) of minimum distancebetween two or more points and what the taxicab analogues of circles andellipses are. Determining the point of minimum distance between three ormore points is a hard problem in standard geometry, but fairly simple inthe taxicab geometry.
Geometry is the godfather of abstractmathematics, being first used to codify the parceling of land and theconstruction of cities. In this book, you will learn how to minimizefunctions based on the restrictions of traveling through cities, a taskwith many applications in the world. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Fun and informative
This book is a great introduction into geometry. Fun story plus my kids and I enjoyed searching for all of the shapes hidden within each illustration.

Mummy Math
Illustrations are done well, the story line is engaging for children.It keeps them involved in the mystery.

Lesson Kickoff!
I used this book for two separate lesson plans.I made a game board and added game cards based on the book.This quickly became an engaging way to count faces, vertices, and edges.I also used it in 7th grade social studies to add questions about history.BONUS: my 13 yr. old and 10 yr. old thought it was an engaging book!

math fun
This is a picture book about the Zills family.The family is off on an adventure to hiddenburial site of an ancient pharaoh.The twin brothers in the family get stuck inside a pyramid with their dog.They must use math to figure out a way to escape the pyramid. They must use skills to figure out the riddles written on the wall and locate the hidden burial chamber. Will they ever figure it out?Read Mummy Math to find out!

It's one of those special books which children will read without realizing they are learning a mathematical concept.

This is a recommended book for those teacher or parents that want to make math a little more exciting for children. ... Read more

Product Description
Jacobs' highly successful, distinctive text was revised on the basis of users' comments and ten years of classroom experience - perfecting an already acclaimed approach to teaching geometry. "...the book concentrates on making the formal treatment of geometry both attractive and accessible..." The Mathematical Gazette Supplements: Teacher's Guide/Test Masters/Transparency Masters ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Geometry by Harold R Jacobs
Very good book for high school level geometry. Concepts are broken down into well organized and small lessons, that way not too much is introduced at one time.
Easy to read, easy to follow, and even entertaining at times.

Taught Classes With it Several Times, Fabulous for Home-Schoolers
As the other reviews show...this book is not only lucid and brilliant, but quite accessible. I've taught classes with it starting in Jr. High with gifted youngsters and with homeschoolers starting in the 6th grade.
I regularly recommend this book to homeschool moms because it is not intimidating, and they invariably enjoy it.
Also, this is PURE geometry, untainted by algebra. Probably the first and only time most students have to learn logic and the structure of argument.
A no brainer. This is the best geometry book I've ever seen, hands down.

Excellent user friendly geometry text
This is the second book on geometry which I have read almost cover to cover. The first was Geometry by Ray Jurgensen and Richard G Brown written in 2000.Each of these texts seem to me to provide a good introduction to the basics of geometry. I suspect, even someone at the college level, can learn some items which could be quite useful for math, science, or engineering courses.The author has a wonderful sense of humor, which he springles over the text.I have not read the most recent edition of this book, but I hope to one day.This last edition is 17 years younger, having been published in 2004, instead of 1987.

The best geometry textbook in existence, bar none.
A very clear, very entertaining textbook for a high-school course on geometry.

This book introduces logical proofs right at the beginning; you may have some difficulty convincing your kids or yourself that you need to work out all these silly logic puzzles in order to begin studying geometry, but you do.

From there on, the book is a sheer joy to read, full of interesting and tricky problems, clear explanations, and of course those famous B.C. and Peanuts clips.

Worked every problem
I have no experience with other geometry books--although I did use the Schaum book and other "outline" help books early in the school year as a reference. Actually Jacobs was easier to use than the "outline" help books. Many problems skate close to calculus (limits are introduced) and analytic geometry. Some problems are quite nearly elegant. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
Textbook presents a modern view of calculus enhanced by the use of technology. Revised and updated edition includes examples and discussions that encourage students to think visually and numerically. DLC: Calculus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (36)

calculus and analytic geometry 7th edition
The book came in on time and was very quick arriving at my door.The book was in excellent condition. Inside there was blemishes but maybe it was my fault.
I felt in love with this book; that is why I bought it to replace the very old one.The mathematics was very elegant and the way they are conceived so impressed me.That is why I decided to buy it again.Overall, a beautiful book on mathematics.

Great Customer Service
The purchasing experience exeeded my expectations.The Sellers followed up to ensure that we were happy with the conditon of the purchase.Overall good experience.

satisfactory
The book I got was the correct one, but I didn't get it until about a week after the estimated ship date.The description said that the book was in like new condition, but when I got it the corners were slightly beat up, the pages were in good condition but I would classify it as either good or very good condition not like new

Excellent book (5th ed), I still own it and use it ...
I used this book for a University Honors Calculus class that I took as a senior in High School.As a math enthusiast (my dad was a Math Professor), and compared to other math books, I would say that the exposition in this book is very very good.The authors were from MIT and U-Illinois, respectively (the latter is where I took the honor calculus class), and at the time it was being used at both schools.

Some people have criticized this book as 'repetitive' and 'obvious' but I HEAVILY disagree.Calculus is a set of tools for approaching geometric problems.There are hundreds of tools in this book.My honors calculus professor had us working one sub-section of the book EVERY NIGHT, FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR.In that time, we finished the entire book.I worked 4 problems EVERY NIGHT, FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR.Later on, I attended MIT, and I was helping the freshmen in their calculus homeworks 5 years later FROM MEMORY!Meanwhile, the MIT students, who had less practice (one problem set per week) quickly forgot what they had learned!So I was helping the upperclassmen to remember their calculus, too !!

Calculus is the very last "bag of tricks" subject that is taught in most math curriculums.The theory behind integration and differentiation and other techniques are all there, in the Thomas and Finney book.The burden is on the reader to understand the theory, before they jump to the practicum.It's true that Thomas and Finney do not ask you to derive new theorems, but there is too much material to allow this in a 2-semester or 3-semester textbook.

I wonder how far people have gone after complaining that there was too much rote practice in this book.In my case, I enjoyed the book and completed a PhD in theoretical computer science.

---> Better Than Nothing <---
I am on the brink of completing Calc II. Between this book and 2 other calc textbooks that I have, Larson 7e, and Stewart 5e - ET, I finally made it through calculus. (Damn public school system.) There are topics in this book that my other 2 calc books have provided a much better explanation for. If the three authors were to collaborate they could possibly produce a rather fine Calculus textbook. ---- Ultimately, there is NO perfect textbook.

If you find that you are having difficulty understanding concepts in one textbook try finding an equal counterpart by a different author. It has helped me.

Read and learn all you can. Don't be a participant in the dumbing down process. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

this book was in good condition when ordered
I have been very pleased with the quality of the books ordered from the marketplace sellers.With very few exceptions, the books are in better condition than listed.It is worth giving it a try!I highly recommend it.I order all the books my son needs for his high school (private) at about 25% of the new book price.I have been able to order most books for less than the book company will pay to buy books back from the student, which is amazing to me.Please check the edition and the ISBN before ordering! The Holt edition of this book comes with a free online tutor that my son swears by.He made an A in this class despite a new teacher and the fact that math is probably not his favorite subject.

Schools beware
My school purchased these books 2 years ago. The content is great.However, after 2 years of use, a quarter of them are almost trashed.The binding does NOT stay on.It is far too heavy of a book for the binding it has.It easily pulls away from the book.One drop to the floor and it has substantial damage. ... Read more

Product Description
The Geometry Guide illustrates every geometric principle, formula, and problem type tested on the GMAT. Understand and master the intricacies of shapes, planes, lines, angles, and objects.Each chapter builds comprehensive content understanding by providing rules, strategies and in-depth examples of how the GMAT tests a given topic and how you can respond accurately and quickly. The Guide contains a total of 83 'In-Action' problems of increasing difficulty with detailed answer explanations. The content of the book is aligned to the latest Official Guides from GMAC (12th edition).

Special Features:

Purchase of this book includes one year of access to Manhattan GMAT's online Geometry Question Bank (accessible by inputting a unique code in the back of each book). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A solid review of GMAT geometry
I self studied and scored a 770 on the GMAT. Here are my thoughts on the Manhattan GMAT Geometry guide:

===== OVERVIEW =====

The fifth and final guide in the series of quant guides from Manhattan GMAT deals with the subtleties of geometry. This is another important topic tested on the GMAT, since you'll undoubtedly see quite a few problems on triangles (at least two, I think) and the occasional problem on other shapes (particularly circles, squares and solids made up of these two). The guide is pretty exhaustive with regards to the theory you'll need on test day, but it could have been improved by the addition of some more problems in the circles department and a chapter on overlapping shapes.

The first part of the book concerns polygons, triangles, circles, angles, the coordinate plane and solids, featuring 75 "in action" problems (similar to Problem Solving, but with no answer choices). The second part is fairly small and only has 8 questions. In my opinion, this latter section would have benefited greatly from a few tips and practice items on overlapping shapes, since these tend to be the more difficult of the geometry subset (I actually had to guess on one such problem on my real test).

===== PROS =====

*Pretty much all of the theory you'll need on geometry is explained in this book. Their tips on the maximization of the surface area of polygons were particularly interesting, since I have not seen this discussed in any other strategy book on the market

*Comes with access to 25 online questions and 6 adaptive tests (some of the best in the industry). You'll also find the well-known The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 12th Edition problems list to help you practice with real, retired questions

*The problems they supply in this book do tend to test more than one concept at a time, which is a plus. Their explanations are also pretty detailed

===== CONS =====

*No chapter on overlapping shapes! I find these problems to be some of the more challenging in geometry. Also, no Data Sufficiency practice problems is definitely a minus, since these questions tend to be extremely confusing for most students (they combine this relatively puzzling question type with geometry that you sometimes have to draw on your own)

*More problems on the trapezoid, polygons with more than 4 sides and angles within circles would have been nice. I also couldn't find a review of tangents to circles

*The issues mentioned above also impact the overall difficulty of the problems in this book. If the topics would have been included, the book would also contain more advanced problems than it does right now (only a few, sadly)

===== BOTTOM LINE =====

The Manhattan GMAT Geometry guide earns four stars out of five for its coverage of the concepts you'll need to know to do good on GMAT geometry. Overall, this book still needs a bit of work, but its contents currently contain what most student will need for their test. The elements that are missing are almost all advanced topics, of which you won't see more than one or two problems in the GMAT.

About me: Dana Jinaru, 770 GMAT scorer, expert at Beat The GMAT - a community serving 1.5 million+ MBA applicants each year

Manhattan GMAT is the best prep available!!!
I didn't take a class, but I have alot of friends who have and have used the Kaplan book and practice tests in addition to the Manhattan. Manhattan prep material and tests are head and shoulders above Kaplan. My only wish is that I had started with the Manhattan series and not even worried about Kaplan. Kaplan may have the brand name, but the fact that Manhattan focuses only on the GMAT shines through. The material goes wayyy more in depth, and it really leverages the other best source of practice material you have, the Official Guide (it has a great feature called rephrasing that references the OG problems directly to give data sufficiency help. It almost makes so much sense that it seems obvious but ingenious at the same time. Why not use the actual old test problems provided by the GMAC as much as you can?).

I wasn't going to buy the whole series but was so impressed by the first book I used (Sentence Correction), that I bought a couple of the quantitative prep books. I was so impressed by those, that I ended up buying all the rest of them. I can not stress enough how much more focused and useful this material is than Kaplan. When used in conjunction with the Official Guide, you have everything you need to break 700.

The things these books provide make so much sense as the best way to prepare, that it makes you wonder why everyone else doesn't do it. My guess is that Manhattan benefits from a focused business model of limiting itself to the GMAT. If you're not looking to score that well and only need to practice some and get used to the questions, the Official Guide is enough. But the Manhattan series is also nice in that it allows you to pick and choose the certain topics you need extra help with. Also, by only buying one book, you get access to six practice tests that are very difficult and provide invaluable information in its readouts of your performance (much more detailed and useful than Kaplan's. Hate to keep hating on Kaplan, but it's the only thing I have to compare to. It's not horrible really, it just pales in comparison to Manhattan. I think of the Kaplan material like I think of McDonald's, very well-known but pretty junky. It'll fill you up, but you won't feel great afterward...)

I've never taken the time to review any items on Amazon.com before, but I have been so impressed with this product that I felt compelled to let others know about it.

Don't waste your money on a class, get the Manhattan series instead. You'll save over a thousand dollars and be better prepared as well!

Good luck!

Solid Geometry book but why so few illustrations and no gmat-style questions?
I love most of the MGMAT books but this one just does not feel right. The book is realistically 95 pages and covers all important concepts: from lines to coordinate geometry. Does not go over the top and gives enough material, seems like the writers covered all the bases. However, I have an issue with it - it is not laid out very well. I am a visual learner and felt it would have been a better book if it was spread out more, included more illustrations, and did not have so much verbiage everywhere. Even larger all-in-one books dedicate close to 100 pages for Geometry.

Another issue is that all of the problems in the book are in a non-gmat format (meaning you only get a question, not the 5 answer choices). That is OK for some sections, but not having a single gmat-like question in the entire book is a "no-no". GMAT is heavily about basics and good framework, but there are other ways to solve questions such as backsolving, picking numbers, etc and those skills are honed only when questions are in the GMAT format. Important to point out that the book comes with access to the Geometry quiz bank online, which does have GMAT-style questions, so there is hope.

The big redeeming factors are 6 online tests that are included with every MGMAT book ($39 value), additional online practice materials, and coverage of Coordinate Geometry (a harder topic often omitted in larger textbooks).

***Bottom line: this is a solid geometry book that was crammed in 95 pages but is still a worthy buy for the sake of tests and the coordinate geometry section.

Questions about the book? Post them here - i will respond.
BB, Founder of GMAT Club Community.


P.S. The only other books that cover Coordinate Geometry are: Kaplan GMAT Math Foundations and MGMAT Foundations of GMAT Math, both of which are on the easier side of things but recommended if you need help with math. You can find my reviews for both of them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Best Geometry Book ever!
This geometry book is the best geometry book of all time.It is well written and truly challenges students to understand geometry on a deep level.I wouldn't recommend the book for a lower level of students, but it is outstanding for everyone else.I love it and I am inspired by it.(I am a math teacher.)

Not very acurate but good enough for ninth grade students
I just finished using this book and it was agreat help to me because all the theorems and postulates were listed on the back and it had an answer key. Every lesson only has around 15 questions and there is rarely any examples. If you need to learn geometry really quickly get this book but you wont get every single detail. ... Read more

Product Description
An introduction to abstract algebraic geometry, with the only prerequisites being results from commutative algebra, which are stated as needed, and some elementary topology. More than 400 exercises distributed throughout the book offer specific examples as well as more specialised topics not treated in the main text, while three appendices present brief accounts of some areas of current research. This book can thus be used as textbook for an introductory course in algebraic geometry following a basic graduate course in algebra.
Robin Hartshorne studied algebraic geometry with Oscar Zariski and David Mumford at Harvard, and with J.-P. Serre and A. Grothendieck in Paris. He is the author of "Residues and Duality", "Foundations of Projective Geometry", "Ample Subvarieties of Algebraic Varieties", and numerous research titles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

this is a wonderful book by a master
Robin Hartshorne is a master of Grothendieck's general machinery for generalizing the tools of classical algebraic geometry to apply to families of varieties, and more broadly to number theory.A fundamental difficulty is to grapple with algebro geometric objects such as doubled lines, or surfaces with embedded curves and points in them,that arise as "limits" of simpler varieties.Here the algebra is essential as the naive set of points does not reveal the antecedents of the limiting object.Even more in number theory, when the rings of coefficients used may not admit solutions, the structure of the rings themselves is all you have to go on.For the most basic invariants, when we leave the complex numbers and Riemann's topological and integration techniques are not available, sheaf cohomology is the abstract substitute.

These esoteric developments did not arise spontaneously, but out of classical problems that should be approached first in order to motivate and appreciate the power of the tools in chapters 2,3 of this book.Professor Hartshorne says himself that he taught the chapters out of order when he first was writing the book.The average reader should probably read the chapters in the order he taught them in, not the order they appear in this book.Thus first read chapters 4 and 5 on curves and surfaces, or possibly read 1,4,5, to get first a general introduction, then study curves and surfaces.Only then delve into chapters 2 and 3 for the sophisticated stuff.

If you really want to start with the classical roots, begin instead with Rick Miranda's book on Algebraic curves and Riemann surfaces.Of course there are hardy souls who can wade right through Hartshorne's book in order, but for many that is a prescription for losing heart and losing interest in the subject.When all is said and done, there are very valuable ideas and tools in this book that are not available as easily anywhere else.You just have to learn how to get at them.You might want to read in whatever order appeals to you.But do not feel obligated to just plow from page 1 on.Or try the first volume of Shafarevich and then this, or bounce back and forth as the spirit moves you.Kempf also has a book on Algebraic varieties with sheaf cohomology but not schemes, which may ease the abstraction level, and there is also Serre's original paper FAC in that vein.

A Necessary and Useful Pain
Algebraic Geometry is the first textbook on scheme-theoretic algebraic geometry. Scheme theory was created in the 1960's by Alexander Grothendieck. Grothendieck also co-authored an extremely well-written, 1800-page reference manuscript on scheme theory called "Éléments de Géométrie Algébrique" (EGA). However, EGA is unsuitable as a textbook because it had no examples or motivation and proved every theorem in great detail and maximal generality.

Algebraic Geometry has 5 chapters. The first chapter summarizes algebraic geometry before schemes. The next two chapters compress EGA to 230 pages(!). The last two chapters show how well scheme theory can solve classical problems from algebraic geometry.

That should be a hint that Algebraic Geometry is one of the most dense and difficult math textbooks ever written.

To achieve that kind of compression, Hartshorne's writing is extremely terse. He assumes a solid understanding of commutative algebra and point-set topology. He often gives one or two-sentence proofs and explanations that, when fleshed out and made complete, would need both many pages and new techniques that are never mentioned in the text. He also gives almost no motivation throughout Chapters II and III, because Chapters IV and V fill this role. When he does give motivation, it is usually relegated to the exercises, many of which, again, require techniques that are never mentioned in the text. Finally, he assigns the proofs of many essential and extremely difficult theorems as exercises.

There are other, much more user-friendly introductions to scheme theory than Algebraic Geometry---For example, The Red Book of Varieties and Schemes, The Geometry of Schemes, and Algebraic Geometry and Arithmetic Curves. These books, along with EGA, can also serve as complements to Algebraic Geometry when Hartshorne's writing becomes too dense to learn from.

However, Algebraic Geometry is unique in that no other textbook on scheme theory covers nearly as much material as it does. Also, for all of its density, Algebraic Geometry is very well-written and an excellent reference, especially considering how much it covers and the length and complexity of its source material. Because of this, I cannot foresee any significantly better replacement for it being written in the near future. Algebraic Geometry will probably continue to be a necessary and useful pain to learners of scheme theory, just as it has been for the past 30 years.

Unfortunately a better book on the subject doesn't exist.
The motivation is nonexistent, and the examples are trivial. If you want to learn anything you have to trudge through exercises which require techniques that are not addressed in the text. I don't mind working to learn a subject, but spending two hours trying to understand what a question is asking is a bit much.

The best, and most concise review I have ever heard was, "Hartshorne is the worst book on Algebraic Geometry, except for all the others".

Nice selection of exercises
Here's my impression after doing the first 30 pages: What makes this a really good book is the exercises. Not too hard, always interesting. If you are new to the subject you need to look up results from commutative algebra somewhere else. It can be a little strange getting used to working with the Zariski topology. All open sets are dense, so you don't have the notion of a small neighborhood of a point. For instance any bijection between two curves is a homeomorphism.

THE book for the Grothendieck approach
This is THE book to use if you're interested in learning algebraic geometry via the language of schemes.Certainly, this is a difficult book; even more so because many important results are left as exercises.But reading through this book and completing all the exercises will give you most of the background you need to get into the cutting edge of AG.This is exactly how my advisor prepares his students, and how his advisor prepared him, and it seems to work.

Some helpful suggestions from my experience with this book:
1) if you want more concrete examples of schemes, take a look at Eisenbud and Harris, The Geometry of Schemes;
2) if you prefer a more analytic approach (via Riemann surfaces), Griffiths and Harris is worth checking out, though it lacks exercises. ... Read more