Mathematical Illustrations
Mathematical Illustrations
Replaced by:
9780521547888This practical introduction to the techniques needed to produce mathematical illustrations of high quality is suitable for anyone with a modest acquaintance with coordinate geometry. The author combines a completely self-contained step-by-step introduction to the graphics programming language PostScript with advice on what goes into good mathematical illustrations, chapters showing how good graphics can be used to explain mathematics, and a treatment of all the mathematics needed to make such illustrations. The many small simple graphics projects can also be used in courses in geometry, graphics, or general mathematics. Code for many of the illustrations is included, and can be downloaded from the book's web site: www.math.ubc.ca/~cass/graphics/manual. Mathematicians, scientists, engineers, and even graphic designers seeking help in creating technical illustrations need look no further.
- Includes practical PostScript code, available from www.math.ubc.ca/~cass/graphics/manual
- Has a mathematical orientation, can be used as a supplementary text for geometry courses
- High level graphics advice of mathematical exposition
Reviews & endorsements
'… I recommend it to all who are professionally or even casually interested in mathematical illustration … Casselman's book teaches you to appreciate the marvels of PostScript and of the geometry ideas relevant to this curious computer language.' George K. Francis, American Scientist
'… an excellent introduction to PostScript … The book is written in a style which is easy to understand and invites the reader to experiment as the journey progresses … I feel that the book would be useful to mathematicians and scientists wanting to create high quality illustrations.' Mathematics Today
'… instructive and attractive reading.' Zentralblatt MATH
Product details
March 2005Hardback
9780521839211
336 pages
240 × 182 × 22 mm
0.789kg
364 b/w illus. 50 exercises
Replaced by 9780521547888
Table of Contents
- 1. Getting started in PostScript
- 2. Elementary coordinate geometry
- 3. Variables and procedures
- 4. Coordinates and conditionals
- 5. Drawing polygons: loops and arrays
- 6. Curves
- 7. Drawing curves automatically: procedures as arguments
- 8. Non-linear 2D transformations: deconstructing paths
- 9. Recursion in PostScript
- 10. Perspective and homogeneous coordinates
- 11. Introduction to drawing in three dimensions
- 12. Transformations in 3D
- 13. PostScript in 3D
- 14. Drawing surfaces in 3D
- Appendix 1. Summary of PostScript commands
- Appendix 2. Setting up your PostScript environment
- Appendix 3. Structured PostScript documents
- Appendix 4. Simple text display
- Appendix 5. Zooming
- Appendix 6. Evaluating polynomials: getting along without variables
- Appendix 7. Importing PostScript files
- Epilogue.
