Cover of Calculus of Friendship

Book 2011

Calculus of Friendship

7 readers

Publisher
Princeton University Press
Language
English
Published
2011
  • Correspondence
  • Calculus
  • Mathematicians
  • Differential equations
  • Chaotic behavior in systems
  • Mathematicians -- Correspondence
  • Difference equations

The Calculus of Friendship is the story of an extraordinary connection between a teacher and a student, as chronicled through more than thirty years of letters between them. What makes their relationship unique is that it is based almost entirely on a shared love of calculus. For them, calculus is more than a branch of mathematics; it is a game they love playing together, a constant when all else is in flux. The teacher goes from the prime of his career to retirement, competes in whitewater kayaking at the international level, and loses a son. The student matures from high school math whiz to.