Shalini Saxena

This insightful guide to the history and basic concepts of mathematics reveals how math concepts helped to shape society--from the basic counting and units of measurement that facilitated commerce to the kind of surveying techniques and geometry that helped build the Egyptian pyramids. A chronological account of advancements in mathematics ranges Aristotle and al-Khwarizmi (who first used the term "algebra") to high-speed computers and their impact...

One of the few organized team sports that can be enjoyed either indoors or against a backdrop of sun and surf on the beach, volleyball has become a beloved game around the world. International competitions have fueled volleyball's global appeal and earned the sport a dedicated fan base. Readers will learn about the history of this exciting game, how to coordinate various positions, formations, and moves for successful play, and the stories of some...

This examination of elementary algebra begins with the essential first step: explaining how algebra is relevant to real life. After that, readers will be taken on a journey through the highlights of algebra, from its basic principles through real numbers and the application of algebra's fundamental concepts. Diagrams and equations, as well as repetition and building on concepts, help make difficult concepts clear. Sidebars highlighting important historical...

This engrossing guide to the number system and fractions combines the history of math with its practical applications, making the story of math engaging for all readers. Both the number system and computations with fractions constitute important elements of the Common Core mathematical standards for grades 6–8, and in this text, theory and practice combine, giving students an excellent approach to both fields. Sample problems are couched in the...

Gaining momentum in the early decades of the 20th century, a number of fascist and other authoritarian regimes could be found around the world by the 1950s. Many persist into the present day. Often led by oppressive dictators, these regimes share many characteristics, though each differ in various ways as well. This volume examines the historical trajectory of dictatorship, fascism, and totalitarianism; their characteristics; where they intersected...

Our planet abounds with a myriad of wild animals, but some of them are in grave danger of becoming a distant memory. This series profiles some of the world's endangered animals, including the gray wolf, green sea turtle, and American bald eagle. Readers will learn all about their habitat, their appearance, and the lives they lead. They will also discover how human behaviors and environmental change can put these animals at risk, as well as ways people...

Rising out of poverty to become the third female and first Hispanic associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor truly embodies the American dream. Her journey from a housing project to the Ivy League and then through all three levels of the federal court system has inspired countless individuals across the country. Even in the midst of her successes, Sotomayor has made time to reach out to various communities to help ensure...

Away from the bustling nightlife of 1920s Harlem, a literary and cultural rebirth was taking place among African American writers, artists, and performers. Producing works that reflected the racial realities of the era between the end of the Civil War and the beginnings of the civil rights movement, these cultural luminaries helped define a new black consciousness. Readers will learn how the Great Migration and changing opportunities for African Americans...

Auroras-the dancing lights that most often grace the night skies of the North and South Poles-look like magnificent kaleidoscopes of light and color to the naked eye. This absorbing volume breaks down this breathtaking phenomenon, using it to introduce elementary readers to the basics of magnetism and atmospheric science. The narrative carefully explains how the Earth's poles and atmosphere affect solar wind and describes how similar dazzling displays...

Engineering has existed in one form or another for millennia but gained considerable traction during the twentieth century with the creation of aerospace, biomedical, genetic, and nuclear engineering. It also saw incredible advances in the areas of civil, chemical, and mechanical engineering. This wide-ranging volume introduces readers to the engineering field, chronicling the development of its various subfields and their growing importance in a...