The Colossal Book of Short Puzzles and Problems.THE COLOSSAL BOOK OF SHORT PUZZLES AND PROBLEMS MARTIN GARDNER Martin Gardner (b. October 21, 1914, Tulsa, Oklahoma) is a popular American mathematics and science writer specializing in recreational mathematics, but with interests encompassing magic (conjuring), pseudoscience, literature (especially Lewis Carroll), philosophy, and religion. Gardner's "Mathematical Games" column for Scientific American has challenged and befuddled legions of readers for more than 25 years. Gardner has deftly and entertainingly explained concepts such as probability, combinatorics combinatorics (kŏm'bənətôr`ĭks) or combinatorial analysis (kŏm'bĭnətôr`ēəl) , physics, and geometry through his recreational mathematics. Collected here for the first time are 340 puzzles that highlight the best of Gardner's column. Arranged by subject and prefaced by short introductory notes, the puzzles range from algebraic 1. (language) ALGEBRAIC - An early system on MIT's Whirlwind. [CACM 2(5):16 (May 1959)]. 2. (theory) algebraic - In domain theory, a complete partial order is algebraic if every element is the least upper bound of some chain of compact elements. problems such as "Was Fermat Wrong?" a puzzle challenging Fermat's last theorem Fermat's last theorem Statement that there are no natural numbers x, y, and z such that xn + yn = zn, in which n is a natural number greater than 2. , to "Inverting a Triangle," which asks the reader to calculate the minimum number of coins that must be shifted to invert in·vert v. 1. To turn inside out or upside down. 2. To reverse the position, order, or condition of. 3. To subject to inversion. n. Something inverted. a triangle of 10 pennies. These and many other puzzles, ordered from simplest to most difficult, include detailed solutions. This guide will appeal to both the amateur and professional mathematician. Norton, 2005, 704 p., b&w illus., hardcover, $35.00. |
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