Python: A Mathematical Approach

Python: A Mathematical Approach

von David Nacin

This book offers a unique introduction to the Python programming language for mathematics majors, mathematicians, and math enthusiasts by building on familiar mathematical concepts to teach Python in a natural and accessible way. From the start, readers are taught to program in a functional style. Comprehensions, generator expressions, generator functions, and recursion are introduced early, providing a foundation for writing clear, concise, and readable code.

No previous programming experience is assumed. Containing many examples and over three hundred practice problems, the book is well suited for self-study as well as for use in undergraduate courses introducing Python.

This book offers a unique introduction to the Python programming language for mathematics majors, mathematicians, and math enthusiasts by building on familiar mathematical concepts to teach Python in a natural and accessible way. From the start, readers are taught to program in a functional style. Comprehensions, generator expressions, generator functions, and recursion are introduced early, providing a foundation for writing clear, concise, and readable code.

No previous programming experience is assumed. Containing many examples and over three hundred practice problems, the book is well suited for self-study as well as for use in undergraduate courses introducing Python.

Highlights

• Provides a powerful functional-first approach to Python for math Uses set-builder notation from math to master the powerful tool of Python set comprehensions Converts existing mathematical knowledge of recursive functions to recursion in Python

Über den Autor

David Nacin is a professor of mathematics at William Paterson University, where he also serves as director of the M.S. in Applied Mathematics graduate program. He received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2005. His research interests include non-commutative algebra, discrete mathematics, and recreational mathematics. A Python enthusiast, David employs coding extensively for research, teaching, and personal enjoyment. His proficiency in programming has led him to restructure the curriculum in his department, making Python a requirement and incorporating the language into several existing classes. David also enjoys designing and studying puzzles related to partition identities, the motion of chess pieces, finite groups, and other mathematical structures. His interest in puzzles led him to author the books Math-Infused Sudoku, published by the American Mathematical Society in 2019, and The Group Theory Puzzle Book, published by Springer in 2024. Since 2016 he has maintained a puzzle blog at quadratablog.blogspot.com.