This Is Not Another Math Book

This companion to This Is Not a Math Book continues to explore the connections between mathematics and art via more than two dozen step-by-step projects. Most of the projects require only the paper templates provided, along with writing utensils, a ruler, tape, and scissors. They include drawing kaleidoscopic patterns (as part of an exploration of symmetry), making a forest of fractals trees, and assembling five-square pentomino shapes (they resemble Tetris pieces) into pictures. There isn’t much discussion of how artists use math (Mondrian is the only fine artist mentioned), but Weltman’s projects ably demonstrate how creative mathematics can be. Ages 9–up. (Mar.)