A Mathematician Comes of Age
Spectrum Series

This book is about the concept of mathematical maturity. The goal of a mathematics education is to transform the student into a mathematically mature individual who treats mathematical ideas analytically and can control and manipulate them effectively. At the heart of the endeavour to solidify this loosely defined but widely acknowledged concept is the privileged position of mathematics as a pure science. The book provides background, data and analysis for recognising and nurturing aspects of mathematical maturity, such as the ability to analyse and communicate abstract ideas, criticise and construct proofs, and move from intuitive to rigorous reasoning. It turns the idea of mathematical maturity from a topic for coffee-room conversation to a topic for analysis and serious consideration. This book will be of interest to anyone, at any level, who wants to be an effective mathematics teacher.

Preface; 1. Introductory thoughts; 2. Math concepts; 3. Teaching techniques; 4. Social issues; 5. Cognitive issues; 6. What is a mathematician?; 7. Maturity for everyone; The tree of mathematical maturity; Etymology of the word 'maturity'; Bibliography; Index.

Steven G. Krantz is a Professor of Mathematics at Washington University, St Louis, where he has served as Chair of his department. He has previously taught at the University of California, Los Angeles, Princeton University and Penn State University, having received a PhD from Princeton in 1974. Krantz has directed numerous PhD and Masters students and is the recipient of the UCLA Alumni Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award, the Chauvenet Prize and the Beckenbach Book Award. He was recently inducted into the Sequoia High School Hall of Fame. Krantz is currently the Editor of the Notices of the American Mathematical Society.