Eli, a 19th century pioneer boy lives in the New Mexico Territory with his parents, grandparents, and sister in a village called Friendly Valley. The story follows Eli as he completes eighth grade at the Friendly Valley one-room school.

Through the insightful presentation by a knowledgeable and caring teacher, Eli and his classmates experience the Joy of Mathematics as they learn the historical contributions of the ancient Greeks, the Arabs and Indians of Asia during the Dark Ages of Europe, the Italian mathematicians upon the European reawakening, and the 18th and 19th century contributions of Newton, Leibnitz, Euler, and other famous mathematicians.

WHY study math? Mathematics, our only pure science, has practical applications in every aspect of our lives. An understanding of and an ability to apply mathematics is necessary for success in business, architecture, medicine, and every other profession.

Ronald B. McPherson, structural engineer and retired university professor, has written a math-history story for middle and senior high school students. The author believes combining history and mathematics will help answer the WHY question…. and maybe, just maybe, the young reader will begin to understand the power and recognize the beauty of mathematics.