The following review appeared in National Science Teachers Association, November 1996 issue of The Science Teacher, pp. 76-77.

Who is Fourier? A Mathematical Adventure

This book is an outstanding resource for math or physics teachers. Mathematics is developed as one would study languages. Basic "vocabulary" is presented and then complex "sentences" are developed. Most of the concepts are developed using the work of Baron Fourier, a French mathematical physicist who studied the movement of waves when heated.

Cartoons, jokes and vocabulary appear in the margins to emphasize the concepts covered. Readers should investigate the appendix before reading the book because some concepts are more easily understood if the appendix has been copied and materials such as glue and scissors have been gathered. Any problems presented in the chapters are answered in the appendix.

In Part One, students learn trigonometric functions using triangles to develop waves. The authors liken this section to "speaking Baby Math." One unit each of Fourier coefficients, integrals, and discrete expansions are introduced. An excellent unit is presented on the voice.

Part Two deals with differentiation and integration. Inner products and projection are presented in depth.

In Part Three, the study of 'e' and 'i' are described. Euler, factorial, and Maclaurin expansions are covered in the last section. Features called "Coffee Breaks" are spread throughout the book that provide background on mathematicians, physicists, or riddles of math.

This book is complex and covers a large amount of mathematics. It would be useful to those who need a refresher course in trigonometry, calculus, or wave physics. The book could be used as a tutorial for students who are having difficulty in the higher mathematics. Fourier is a good method to use to provide mystery problems to students as enrichment in advanced courses.

- Virginia Demchik, Reprinted with permission from NSTA Publications, Nov. 1996, from The Science Teacher, National Science Teachers Association, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000.