Nelsen Receives Book Award for Accessible Exploration of Geometric Ideas

June 04, 2025

A Panoply of Polygons Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Roger Nelsen and co-author Claudi Alsina have been awarded the 2025 Beckenbach Book Prize for their book A Panoply of Polygons. This is the second year in a row Nelsen has received the award. He won the 2024 Beckenbach award for his book Nuggets of Number Theory: A Visual Approach.

A Panoply of Polygons is an inventive and accessible exploration of geometric ideas. The book invites readers into the fascinating world of polygons, blending abstract mathematics with real-world applications in art, architecture, and culture.

Designed to be approachable for undergraduate students, A Panoply of Polygons also serves as a compelling supplement to geometry courses, offering both insight and inspiration.

The authors’ engaging narrative style and clear, structured presentation make complex concepts approachable, deepening readers’ appreciation for the role of mathematics in everyday life.

The 2025 Beckenbach Prize Committee recognized A Panoply of Polygons for its originality, clarity, and meaningful connections between mathematics and broader human experiences, making it a valuable resource for students, educators, and geometry enthusiasts alike.

Nelsen and Alsina’s latest book is titled The Genius of Gaudí: Geometry and Architecture.

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