I recently came across the book "Understanding Numbers" (https://a.co/d/c9Ym5Ek) by Hung-Hsi Wu. It's written for teachers to teach them how to teach elementary school mathematics. It's basic counting, fractions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and a few slightly more advanced concepts. I consider this like a number theory book for elementary school mathematics and I've loved it. I've never seen math explained so intuitively. He explains the why's behind all these concepts in great detail (both algebraically and geometrically) and it's been transformative for me because I was taught formulas, but not the meaning or the why behind them. Only problem is a lot of the book is aimed at teachers and teaching methods. Does anyone know of a similar book that's more focused on explaining the math in this level of detail rather than how to teach the math?
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Book Recommendation
- Thread starter jpanknin
- Start date
I own two books by the same author—one on teaching Prealgebra and the other on teaching Algebra. However, I’ve never read either cover to cover, mainly because the exercises require applying rather obscure definitions. Unfortunately, the books don’t include solutions at the back. While the topics and exercises are elementary, they are mostly proof-based, making them quite challenging for a beginner.I recently came across the book "Understanding Numbers" (https://a.co/d/c9Ym5Ek) by Hung-Hsi Wu. It's written for teachers to teach them how to teach elementary school mathematics. It's basic counting, fractions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and a few slightly more advanced concepts. I consider this like a number theory book for elementary school mathematics and I've loved it. I've never seen math explained so intuitively. He explains the why's behind all these concepts in great detail (both algebraically and geometrically) and it's been transformative for me because I was taught formulas, but not the meaning or the why behind them. Only problem is a lot of the book is aimed at teachers and teaching methods. Does anyone know of a similar book that's more focused on explaining the math in this level of detail rather than how to teach the math?
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I have those two as well. And I agree on the exercises. But I do find his explanations, at least for this book, very good at explaining the intuition behind concepts.I own two books by the same author—one on teaching Prealgebra and the other on teaching Algebra. However, I’ve never read either cover to cover, mainly because the exercises require applying rather obscure definitions. Unfortunately, the books don’t include solutions at the back. While the topics and exercises are elementary, they are mostly proof-based, making them quite challenging for a beginner.
Yes, I agree—his writing is exceptionally clear. I found his definition of fractions particularly intriguing, and some of his proofs of fundamental algebraic properties were both innovative and intuitive. I'm not sure if there are many books that cover elementary topics with this intuitive yet formal reasoning. Thanks for sharing the book—I might buy a copy as well.I have those two as well. And I agree on the exercises. But I do find his explanations, at least for this book, very good at explaining the intuition behind concepts.
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Yes, the fractions were the best (but hardest too). His explanation of counting, multiplication, division, place value, etc. completely changed my understanding of numbers. I'd like to find something similar that has the same types of explanations, but more concise without the "how to teach children" parts.