Book Review : Sharpening Logic Through Mathematics Learning

SHARPENING LOGIC THROUGH MATHEMATICS LEARNING

A. The Identity of The Book

Book title   : MATHEMATICS 2 FOR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL YEAR VIII

Author        : Marsigit

Publisher     : Yudhistira

Copyright   : 2009

Thick book : 292 pages; 1.5 cm

Reviewer    : Ifani Rahadian Saputri

B. Description Of The Contents Of The Book

Mathematics is a science that underlies all other sciences. Mathematics is a science in its own right, rather than a branch of natural science. Since the beginning of human civilization, the math will always be the most fundamental science. Some even say that mathematics is a parent of other science developments. Learning math is not just memorizing formulas, but should be able to understand the basic concept of the math. If we only memorize the formula, then the understanding of mathematics is impossible we can get. In this book there is a description of the material and its exercises. This book discusses the material for junior high school class VIII consists of seven chapters. The material covered in this book, the first is Algebra and Its Application. Algebra expression is a statement consisting meaningful combinations of coefficient and variables. In this chapter is discussed about algebraic expressions, algebraic factorizations, and fractions operation of algebraic expressions. Secondly is Relation and Functions. In this chapter is discussed about relations, functions, and value of function. In chapter relation and function explained that the relation from set M to set N is a rule of pairing elements in set M with elements in set N. Then, function or mapping from set A to set B is a special relation that pairs every element in A to exact one element in B. The third chapter is about Equations of a Straight Line. In the third chapter discussed about characteristic of a straight line's equation, gradient, and line's equations. The fourth chapter is about System of Linear Equations in Two Variables. The material covered in this chapter include linear equations in one variable, linear equations in two variables, and system of linear equations in two variables. The five chapter is The Pythagorean Theorem. In this chapter will be discussed about the Pythagorean theorem, the length of sides of a right angle triangle, the length of sides of any triangles, the ratio sides of some special right triangles, and Pythagorean theorem in daily life. The six chapter is about Circle. The materials that discussed in this topic such as introducing circle and its parts, central angles and the circumference angles, tangents of circle, and the inscribe and circumvented triangles of circle. The seven chapter is Polyhedral. In this chapter will be discussed about prisms, cubes, rectangular prisms, and pyramids. By studying various forms of polyhedral, then we can figure out how to determine the breadth and volume of polyhedral. The seventh chapter is the whole material that must be mastered for students of class VIII.

C. The Advantages of Book

In terms of its physical, good quality book covers and colours attract the attention of the reader. Used good quality paper, thick, and using a variety of colour ink, so that will add interest to read it. When viewed in terms of its content, in the book comes with a related image illustration chapter covered. It would really help the reader understand the material. Moreover the language used is also easy to understand for all walks of life, especially for students from junior high school. This book comes with practice questions, so that the reader can train of logic to solve problems of mathematics. With the model of bilingual books prints as in the book, is very easy for the reader to better understand the meaning. So it's not boring when reading this book. The book is organized in full, clear, and thorough. So the book becomes interesting and easy to read.

D. The Lack Of Books

This book is in shortage problems such exercises do not come with answer keys. There are actually some people who agree and some are not agree if a book comes with a discussion of the matter. In my opinion, when it comes to the discussion of the question, the students would be more convinced by the answers obtained, and will help the student thinking in solving mathematics problem. With the discussion of these questions, students can learn more independently. This book is based on the curriculum in 2006, while currently has implemented a curriculum of 2013. It would be nice if this updated book curriculum, so according to the curriculum that is applied at this time.

E. Conclusion

This book deserves to be read for all walks of life. Although this book is used for the secondary school students, but the material in the book is very extensive, so that it can be the source for the whole circle. Then from that book, entitled "Mathematics 2 for Junior High School Year VIII" becomes very important. Through this book students can train the ability of logic so as to be able to think rationally and systematically. It cannot be denied that our current life is a life of mathematical convenience. We are now living on the basis of mathematical principles that are helpful in solving problems in everyday life. So this book is worth it for everybody to add deeper insights about the science of mathematics.