Sink or Float: Thought Problems in Math and Physics is a collection of problems drawn from mathematics and the real world. Its multiple-choice format forces the reader to become actively involved in deciding upon the answer. The book s aim is to show just how much can be learned by using everyday common sense. The problems are all concrete and understandable by nearly anyone, meaning that not only will students become caught up in some of the questions, but professional mathematicians, too, will easily get hooked. The more than 250 questions cover a wide swath of classical math and physics. Each problem s solution, with explanation, appears in the answer section at the end of the book. A notable feature is the generous sprinkling of boxes appearing throughout the text. These contain historical asides or little-known facts. The problems themselves can easily turn into serious debate-starters, and the book will find a natural home in the classroom. The Book's Aim Is To Show Just How Much Can Be Learned By Using Everyday Common Sense. The Problems Are All Concrete And Understandable By Nearly Anyone, Meaning That Students Will Become Caught Up In Some Of The Questions. The More Than 250 Questions Cover A Wide Swath Of Classical Math And Physics, All In Multiple-choice Format. Each Problem's Solution, With Explanation, Appears In The Answer Section At The End Of The Book--publisher's Description. What Do You Think? A Sampler -- Geometry -- Numbers -- Astronomy -- Archimedes' Principle -- Probability -- Classical Mechanics -- Electricity And Magnetism -- Heat And Wave Phenomena -- The Leaking Tank -- Linear Algebra -- What Do You Think? Answers -- Geometry Answers -- Numbers Answers -- Astronomy Answers -- Archimedes' Principle Answers -- Probability Answers -- Mechanics Answers -- Electricity Answers -- Heat And Wave Phenomena Answers -- The Leaking Tank Answers -- Linear Algebra Answers. Keith Kendig. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 367) And Indexes. This collection of problems drawn from mathematics and the real world reveals just how much can be learned by using everyday common sense. Its easily understandable style will hook school students and professional mathematicians alike. The more than 250 questions cover a wide range of classical mathematics and physics, with a solution and explanation provided for each one. A generous sprinkling of boxes appear throughout the text containing historical asides or little-known facts, which help make the book a starting point for some interesting discussions. The problems themselves can easily turn into serious debate-starters, and the book will find a natural home in the classroom. Often a single concrete problem represents an introduction to a more general concept or method of solution that the student will encounter later on. Conversely, a quick, common-sense solution to a problem can represent a surprising alternative to applying the standard but more lengthy technique. Preface What Do You Think? A Sampler Geometry Numbers Astronomy Archimedes' Principle Probability Classical Mechanics Electricty and Magnetism Heat and Wave Phenomena The Leaking Tank Linear Algebra What Do You Think? Answers Geometry Answers Numbers Answers Astronomy Answers Archimedes' Principle Answers Probability Answers Classical Mechanics Answers Electricty and Magnetism Answers Heat and Wave Phenomena Answers The Leaking Tank Answers Linear Algebra Answers Glossary References Problem Index Subject Index About the Author A collection of problems drawn from mathematics and the real world (physics). Questions are multiple choice and conceptual, requiring an understanding of the appropriate principals rather than the ability to plug in a formula and chug through the algebra. A metal cube is suspended by a vertex to make a fishing weight.
