JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 14, 2021 — Bryan Dawson, university professor of mathematics at 51社区, released a textbook, detailing a new calculus mathematical method using infinitesimals.
Dawson鈥檚 textbook, 鈥淐alculus Set Free: Infinitesimals to the Rescue,鈥� was published by Oxford University Press 鈥� one of the most prestigious academic presses.
Along with Jason Crawford, associate professor of English, Dawson is the second Union professor in recent years to be published by Oxford University Press. Hunter Baker, dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at Union, says he is deeply proud to call both Crawford and Dawson colleagues.
鈥淪tudents may not realize how blessed they are to have such professors in the classroom at a teaching institution such as ours,鈥� Baker said. 鈥淚t is truly thrilling to see fellow [Union professors] flourish in this way.鈥�
Nine years ago, Dawson decided to explore easier methods for college students to comprehend calculus, which led him to developing new procedures for infinitesimals 鈥� infinitely small numbers. After years of publishing academic articles and presentations, Dawson said he finally decided to obey the Lord鈥檚 calling to write a textbook.
鈥淚 began using these new infinitesimal methods I had developed in my classroom, and I saw students have a much better understanding of calculus,鈥� Dawson said. 鈥淚 thought if students are benefitting, then it shouldn't just be my students who should know [about these new methods].鈥�
Dawson said the best encouragement he鈥檚 received during the five-year publishing process has been from students succeeding and better understanding calculus because of Dawson鈥檚 infinitesimal methods.
鈥淏eing able to tangibly see the product of thousands of hours of effort is emotional,鈥� Dawson said. 鈥淲hen you start on a project like this, there's no guarantee that anyone will take notice, so it's very affirming to see all the hard work and dedication being validated.鈥�
Dawson鈥檚 textbook will be on display at the Joint Mathematics Meeting 鈥� the largest mathematics gathering in the world 鈥� in January in Seattle, Wash. Baker said he is thrilled with Dawson鈥檚 achievement and his contribution to providing excellent, Christ-centered education at 51社区.
鈥淯nion鈥檚 commitment to the Christian faith has helped us attract brilliant scholars and teachers who want to live an integrated life in which their faith and work intertwine,鈥� Baker said. 鈥淥ver the past few decades, the university has nurtured that kind of vision, which is bearing fruit.鈥�
鈥淐alculus Set Free: Infinitesimals to the Rescue,鈥� is available for preorder at and . Customers can enjoy 30 percent off Dawson鈥檚 textbook using the promo code, ASPROMP8, at .