book

Math Adventures with Python

by Peter Farrell

January 2019

Intermediate to advanced

304 pages

7h 4m

English

No Starch Press

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The Problem with School MathAbout This BookWho Should Use This BookWhat’s in This Book?Downloading and Installing PythonStarting IDLEInstalling Processing

Python’s turtle ModuleRepeating Code with LoopsCreating Shortcuts with FunctionsUsing Variables to Draw ShapesEquilateral TrianglesSummary
Basic OperatorsData Types in PythonUsing Lists to Store ValuesUsing Lists in LoopsSummationFinding the Average of a List of NumbersSummary
Comparison OperatorsMaking Decisions with if and else StatementsUsing Conditionals to Find FactorsCreating a Number-Guessing GameFinding Square RootsSummary
Solving First-Degree EquationsSolving Higher-Degree EquationsSolving Equations GraphicallySummary
Drawing a CircleSpecifying Location Using CoordinatesTransformation FunctionsAnimating ObjectsCreating an Interactive Rainbow GridDrawing Complex Patterns Using TrianglesSummary
Using Trigonometry for Rotations and OscillationsWriting Functions to Draw PolygonsMaking Sine WavesCreating a Spirograph ProgramMaking HarmonographsSummary
The Complex Coordinate SystemAdding Complex NumbersMultiplying a Complex Number by iMultiplying Two Complex NumbersWriting the magnitude() FunctionCreating the Mandelbrot SetCreating the Julia SetSummary
What Is a Matrix?Adding MatricesMultiplying MatricesOrder Matters in Matrix MultiplicationDrawing 2D ShapesTransforming MatricesTransposing MatricesRotating Matrices in Real TimeCreating 3D ShapesCreating the Rotation MatrixSolving Systems of Equations with MatricesSummary
Bouncing Ball ProgramGrazing Sheep ProgramSummary
The Length of a CoastlineKoch SnowflakeSierpinski TriangleSquare FractalDragon CurveSummary
Creating a Cellular AutomatonPython Lists Are StrangePlaying the Game of LifeThe Elementary Cellular AutomatonSummary
Using a Genetic Algorithm to Guess PhrasesSolving the Traveling Salesperson Problem (TSP)Summary

Overview

Math Adventures with Python will show you how to harness the power of programming to keep math relevant and fun. With the aid of the Python programming language, you’ll learn how to visualize solutions to a range of math problems as you use code to explore key mathematical concepts like algebra, trigonometry, matrices, and cellular automata.

Once you’ve learned the programming basics like loops and variables, you’ll write your own programs to solve equations quickly, make cool things like an interactive rainbow grid, and automate tedious tasks like factoring numbers and finding square roots. You’ll learn how to write functions to draw and manipulate shapes, create oscillating sine waves, and solve equations graphically.

You’ll also learn how to:

•Draw and transform 2D and 3D graphics with matrices

•Make colorful designs like the Mandelbrot and Julia sets with complex numbers

•Use recursion to create fractals like the Koch snowflake and the Sierpinski triangle

•Generate virtual sheep that graze on grass and multiply autonomously

•Crack secret codes using genetic algorithms

As you work through the book’s numerous examples and increasingly challenging exercises, you’ll code your own solutions, create beautiful visualizations, and see just how much more fun math can be!