THE NUMBER DEVIL
1) The Number Devil is a children’s novel written by Hans
Magnus Enzenberger. The Number Devil is about a young boy by the name of Robert
who suffers from mathematical anxiety due to endless amounts of boredom in
class. Robert experiences a continuous dream that involves falling down a slide
that results in getting eaten by a huge fish. Throughout the novel Robert is
visited 12 times by the number devil teaching him a new math technique each
night. For example, Robert learns about infinite number, negative numbers,
prime numbers, natural numbers, exponential numbers, irrational numbers and
last but not least infinite numbers. After the 12th dream, Robert no
longer suffers from mathematical anxiety and is able to interpret what he
learned from the math devil in class.
2) On the second night that the devil visits Robert, he
teaches him the math concept of exponential numbers through hopping numbers
because they hop from themselves to another multiple. Such as 2^2= 4, then
2^3=8, the number hops from 4 directly to the number 8, when only the exponent
is increased by 1.
3) I
think literature is an effective way to teach math because literature is read
very closely with attention to detail. So if mathematical concepts are being
used within literature, people can easily identify the concept and analyze it
to the point where they understand it and how it relates to the text. It can
effectively teach young children and young men concepts that are not entirely
understood, or even completely teach a new concept to a young child or young
man.
For number 3, I think you brought in really good points about people paying attention to detail in literature. I definitely agree with you that it is easier to analyze a concept when it is in literature especially when it its more clearly and simply written and pictures are involved. It sounds like a cute story too :)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting how many different math concepts are used in this book.
ReplyDeleteThe book seems very interesting. It seems like a great way to learn math and it seems very applicable to what we learn in class
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute concept for a children's book I definitely agree with what you said in part 3
ReplyDeleteThis book is very similar to the book I had read. It's called the Math curse. The plot was similar but it talked about the student's daily life and how math was always around him and never ending.
ReplyDeletemilana,
ReplyDeletereally nice selection. of course you know i love this book! you did a great job of explaining the concept of exponential functions in this book and also of briefly summarizing the narrative.
i like that were specific about discussing how literature is useful for engaging children as well as adults in learning mathematics. this is very true. good job!
professor little