Books: Inquiry-Based Learning Guides

The DAoM library includes 11 inquiry-based books freely available for classroom use. These texts can be used as semester-long content for themed courses (e.g. geometry, music and dance, the infinite, games and puzzles), or individual chapters can be used as modules to experiment with inquiry-based learning and to help supplement typical topics with classroom tested, inquiry based approaches (e.g. rules for exponents, large numbers, proof). The topic index provides an overview of all our book chapters by topic.

For a list of other inquiry-based learning materials (Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Algebra, K-12, etc.) take a look at a list of IBL materials we're aware of, we collected under Resources.

Book Titles

Reviews & Accolades

"...I find the material to be excellent in all respects. This is a great idea for a project, and the people involved are clearly able to execute their vision... I think that the final collection of Discovering the Art of Mathematics books will be a resource that instructors have needed for a long time. These books will have a strong positive impact on the way mathematics is taught to non-science majors at a wide variety of colleges."
  — David Farmer, Director of Programs, American Institute of Mathematics

"The general approach is amazing. I love how you get to touch upon and substantially develop so much modern analysis, in this unassuming volume for liberal arts students. I also found the way you introduced the concepts very well thought-out... The one guidebook I read does a great job at putting the student at the center of the action, and encourages independent inquiry. I was impressed by how much actual mathematics there was in the whole volume, as opposed to some other math for liberal arts texts that are a lot less substantial in level and content. I think the intellectual merit of this work is very high, and it is a very valuable endeavor. Liberal arts students should not be left to only learn about watered-down pizza math. They should be introduced to the most beautiful and powerful ideas of mathematics; this project is attempting to do precisely that... By bringing in the human components of mathematics, the projects actually help students from underprivileged and underrepresented groups feel more welcome in what is generally regarded as a cold, austere science."
  — Gizem Karaali, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Pomona College and Co-Editor of the Journal of Humanistic Mathematics