Researcher, author, and educator Tanton has compiled this encyclopedia to share his enthusiasm for thinking about and doing mathematics. More than 800 alphabetically arranged entries present a wide variety of mathematical definitions, theorems, historical figures, formulas, examples, charts, and pictures. Many cross-references serve to connect concepts or extend a concept further. A mathematical time line listing major accomplishments is available following the entries, along with a list of current mathematics organizations. The bibliography contains print and Web resources, and the index is helpful in locating terms and concepts. Each entry varies in length depending on the term, concept, or person being described. Six longer essays describe the history of the branches of mathematics. The writing style is straightforward and readable and sometimes contains parenthetical notes that add background or context. If an entry contains a word or words in capital letters, that term or person is also an entry in the encyclopedia.This source would be useful in a high-school library, public library, and academic library as a basic resource for students who wish to have a better understanding of simple or not-so--simple mathematical concepts. It is hoped that the author is rewarded in his goal of encouraging mathematics students to go beyond rote memorization of mathematical steps or skills. This encyclopedia will certainly assist them toward that goal.

TANTON, James . Encyclopedia of Mathematics 568p. reprods. ISBN 0-8160-5124-0 . LC 2004016785. ea vol: diags. illus. photos. appendix. bibliog. chron. index. Web sites. CIP. Facts On File 2005. Tr $75. Gr 9 Up These comprehensive resources cover important discoveries and definitions of basic terms and concepts, and offer short biographies of leading scientists. The alphabetical entries range in length from a line or two to over a page. Chemistry offers more than 2000 articles on topics from ABO blood groups to zwitterionic compound. However, entries for the individual elements are not included. Four in-depth essays examine compounds, molecular modeling, crime-lab functions, and the role of chemistry in everyday life. The book concludes with a comprehensive bibliography, as well as listings of related Web sites, software sources, Nobel Laureates Relating to Chemistry, the periodic table of elements, and more. The Macmillan Encyclopedia of Chemistry (Gale, 1997) is more thorough. However, this set delivers almost double the entries of World of Chemistry (Gale, 2000). Mathematics offers more than 800 entries from abacus and compound interest to Bertrand Russell and vector along with essays on the history and evolution of equations and algebra, calculus, functions, geometry, probability and statistics, and trigonometry. The appendixes include a five-page bibliography of print and Web resources as well as a listing of organizations pertaining to the field. Mathematical notations, diagrams, and captioned black-and-white reproductions and photographs appear throughout both volumes. Maren Ostergard, Bellevue Regional Library, WA