Reggie Tankard

The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics

By Norton Juster

1) This story follows the life of a line. This is no ordinary line, this line is romantic; it is in love with a dot. 

A very special dot. However, as things are often in life, the dot wants nothing to do with the line. 

Opting to "see other people." The line is not discouraged, it continues to try to persuade the dot into a date. 

After more time passes, the dot, as they always do, realizes it made a mistake by rejecting the line. 

They reconcile and live happily ever after in a quadrant I. 

2) This story helps the reader to understand how linear equations work. The romance story, however interesting, 

is only a medium to help children learn this concept. By teaching simple aspects of linear equations through this relationship, 

children can easily retain these lessons and apply them in class. (Ex. A line is only between 2 points, A ray is between one point and infinity)

3) After reading and analyzing this book, I have come to the conclusion that 

using a book or story to teach a math lesson to children can be very beneficial. 

I would often have troubling concentrating in math class when I was younger but 

I know if I had taken the time to read more books like this one I would have been in a better position to succeed. 

Also, by applying the concept to something children can visualize, 

through illustrations and imagination, they can connect to the concept.