Zombies and Calculus (ebook)

Argumento de Zombies and Calculus (ebook)

"Adams is clever to employ a zombie apocalypse scenario to demonstrate the usefulness of calculus and mathematics more broadly."--Carrie Bengston, Science Book A Day

"Adams tells his tale with gore and humor. If you are a fan of zombies and enjoy offbeat applications of mathematics, this book is for you."--Joseph Bettina, Mathematics Teacher

"You'll laugh! You'll cry! You'll use calculus! So much for kids who say, 'When am I ever going to use calculus?' When you're trying to survive the zombie apocalypse, that's when."--Nancy Szokan, Washington Post

"Whether you agree or disagree with the idea of mixing zombies with calculus, Adams is a craftsman of the first order. Zombies and Calculus has everything: calculus, calculation of force, statistics, normal deviation, word play, heroics, romance, slapstick, and zombies. Two bloody thumbs up!"--Robert Schaefer, New York Journal of Books

"Highly recommended for those just being introduced to calculus, or those who need a user-friendly recap of the basics. It may just help them survive--their education, that is, rather than a zombie attack!"--Rob Ashmore, Mathematics Today

"The author didn't intend to write a classic horror novel, he intended to write one that explained the ideas of calculus and differential equations (particularly the latter) in a humorous and unusual setting. He has succeeded admirably. This is a book that can be enjoyed by both students and by faculty members seeking a way to spice up their lectures."--Mark Hunacek, MAA Reviews

"A fun idea, quite well realized."--M.A.Orthofer, Complete Review

"The unusual and clearly explained mathematical set-pieces are appealing. . . . I will be recommending this book to colleagues. Let's hope they're not squeamish."--Noel-Ann Bradshaw, Times Higher Education

"I have never met a novel in which the hero is actually teaching calculus to the ones he just rescued in between blowing out the little bit of brains from zombie heads, and smashing cars with a snow plough. Quite a reading experience."--Adhemar Bultheel, European Mathematical Society

"Adams combines mathematics and zombies in an exciting, humorous way. . . . Zombies and Calculus would be a helpful supplemental text for a student currently studying calculus as it applies the concepts in a situation--however unrealistic--that makes it easier to understand."--Tara Creel, Deseret News

"Romance! Danger! Calculus! Zombies! Adams (How to Ace Calculus), professor of mathematics at Williams College and humor columnist for The Mathematical Intelligencer, takes readers on an apocalyptic and educational adventure that's also a Spielbergian sci-fi thriller. . . . Adams keeps the in-story math both appropriate and accessible, saving in-depth discussion for appendices at the end. Calculus fans looking for 'real-world' applications woven into a nail-biter of a story, chock-full of narrow escapes, betrayals, some plucky kids, the family dog, and even a romantic subplot, will delight in this fun, and funny pop-math book."--Publishers Weekly starred review

"If youre dying to read a novel treatment of calculus, then you should run (dont walk!) to buy Zombies and Calculus by Colin Adams. Youll see calculus come alive in a way that could save your life someday."--Arthur Benjamin, Harvey Mudd College

"Before Zombies and Calculus, math was quick to kill my appetite. In fact, math damn near killed me altogether throughout most of college (it is of course a cliché to say that as a math student I was pretty much a zombie). If I had only had this book then . . . at least now I can stomach derivatives as well as a zombie outbreak. Thats no small accomplishment! Read Zombies and Calculus--youll laugh . . . youll cry . . . youll multiply."--Steven C. Schlozman, M.D., author of The Zombie Autopsies

"Using a fictional, tongue-in-cheek account of an outbreak of a zombie virus at a small liberal arts college, Adams discusses mathematical subjects such as the spread of a disease in a population, differential equations, and tangent vectors. He succeeds in conveying the idea that calculus is useful in numerous aspects of life--including surviving a zombie apocalypse. The book is one of a kind."--Joel Hass, University of California, Davis

"Zombies and Calculus shows how calculus can be used to understand many different real-world phenomena, from population growth to Newtons law of cooling. The fast-paced narrative propels readers forward, and Adamss style is humorous and compelling. I laughed out loud, in public, several times while reading this book. I had a hard time putting it down."--Amy N. Myers, Bryn Mawr College

"Zombies and Calculus is unlike just about anything Ive ever read. It is both an introduction to assorted math concepts and an action-packed adventure story about escaping a zombie invasion. Its also laugh-out-loud funny in many places."--Meredith L. Greer, Bates College

"The book well deserves attention from not squeamish math instructors and a wider audience of intelligent readers, curious of a new literary genre that mixes storytelling with gentle mathematical instruction."--Alexander Bogomolny, CTK Insights0Introduction 1
CHAPTER 1 Hour 6 3
CHAPTER 2 Hour 7 19
CHAPTER 3 Hour 7 1/2 32
CHAPTER 4 Hour 7 3/4 48
CHAPTER 5 Hour 8 63
CHAPTER 6 Hour 9 80
CHAPTER 7 Hour 10 95
CHAPTER 8 Hour 18 111
CHAPTER 9 Hour 24 137
Epilogue 152
APPENDIX A Continuing the Conversations 155
APPENDIX B A Brief Review of Calculus as Explained to Connor by Ellie 191
Acknowledgments 223
Bibliography 225
Index 227