I received this from the current issue of the Scout Report: http://scout.wisc.edu/Reports/ScoutReport/2004/scout-041203.php I know that there are a number of subscribers who are interested in using Python to teach Math, and I thought that this site might suggest an interdisciplinary approach. Perhaps these snippets could pique students' interest in math topics being presented. Anyway, it looks interesting... John Miller
9. Mathematical Fiction http://math.cofc.edu/faculty/kasman/MATHFICT/default.html
Alex Kasman, Associate Professor in the College of Charleston Department of Mathematics, has compiled this list of Mathematical Fiction. The books and stories listed here may be of interest to teachers or anyone wanting to read about mathematics from a literary perspective. The collection is organized so that visitors can browse by medium (which includes 22 entries that are categorized as "Available Free Online"), genre, motif, or topic. Some motifs include Evil Mathematicians, Female Mathematicians, Insanity, Math as Beautiful/Exciting/Useful, and Math as Cold/Dry/Useless. Some examples of topics listed include Algebra/Arithmetic/Number Theory, Mathematical Physics, and Probability/Statistics. The category with by far the most entries is Science Fiction with Not Science-Fiction, Fantasy or Horror coming in at a close second. Visitors can also search the entire database, view entries by Title or Author or Year, or check out the 30 most recently added or modified entries. Each entry is followed by a sentence or two describing the article or book and some include a website link to the article or to Amazon.com for ordering information. Proceeds from sales made through the website go to the College of Charleston Department of Mathematics. [VF] This site is also reviewed in the December 3, 2004_NSDL MET Report_. [VF]