Lateral Solutions to Mathematical Problems offers a fresh approach to mathematical problem solving via lateral thinking. Lateral thinking has long been used informally by good mathematics teachers and lecturers to spice up their material and interest their students in the more artistic aspects of mathematical problem solving. In this book, the author attempts to carry out this process formally, with reference to specific, non-technical problems that are easily understood and explained at an intermediate level. This book is appropriate for interested high school students, undergraduates and postgraduates, looking for relief from technical material and also looking for insight into the methodology of mathematics; for teachers and lecturers looking for a novel approach to course material; and anyone interested in both mathematics and lateral thinking.
Parabola is a mathematics magazine published by UNSW, Sydney. Among other things, each issue of Parabola has contained a collection of puzzles/problems, on various mathematical topics and at a suitable level for younger (but mathematically sophisticated) readers. Parabolic Problems: 60 Years of Mathematical Puzzles in Parabola collects the very best of almost 1800 problems and puzzles into a single volume. Many of the problems have been re-mastered, and new illustrations have been added. Topics covered range across geometry, number theory, combinatorics, logic, and algebra. Solutions are provided to all problems, and a chapter has been included detailing some frequently useful problem-solving techniques, making this a fabulous resource for education and, most importantly, fun! Features Hundreds of diverting and mathematically interesting problems and puzzles. Accessible for anyone with a high school-level mathematics education. Wonderful resource for teachers and students of mathematics from high school to undergraduate level, and beyond.
The Four Corners of Mathematics: A Brief History, from Pythagoras to Perelman describes the historical development of the ‘big ideas’ in mathematics in an accessible and intuitive manner. In delivering this bird's-eye view of the history of mathematics, the author uses engaging diagrams and images to communicate complex concepts while also exploring the details of the main results and methods of high-level mathematics. As such, this book involves some equations and terminology, but the only assumption on the readers’ knowledge is A-level or high school mathematics. Features Divided into four parts, covering Geometry, Algebra, Calculus and Topology Presents high-level mathematics in a visual and accessible way with numerous examples and over 250 illustrations Includes several novel and intuitive proofs of big theorems, so even the nonexpert reader can appreciate them Sketches of the lives of important contributors, with an emphasis on often overlooked female mathematicians and those who had to struggle.
Mathematics of Tabletop Games provides a bridge between mathematics and hobby tabletop gaming. Instead of focusing on games mathematicians play, such as nim and chomp, this book starts with the tabletop games played by avid gamers and hopes to address the question: which field of mathematics concerns itself with this situation? Readers interested in either mathematics or tabletop games will find this book an engaging way to begin exploring the other topic or the connection between the topics. Features Presents an entry-level exposition of interesting mathematical concepts that are not commonly taught outside of upper-level mathematics courses Acts as a resource for mathematics instructors who wish to provide new examples of standard mathematical concepts Features material that may help game designers and developers make design decisions about game mechanisms Provides working Python code that can be used to solve common questions about games Covers a broad range of mathematical topics that could be used as survey material for undergraduates curious about mathematics.
Want to sharpen your mathematical wits? If so, then Mathematical Conundrums is for you. Daily Telegraph enigmatologist, Barry R. Clarke, presents over 120 fiendish problems that will test both your ingenuity and persistence. Between these covers are puzzles in geometry, arithmetic, and algebra (there is even a section for computer programmers). And, for the smartest readers who wish to stretch their mind to its limits, a selection of engaging logic and visual lateral puzzles is included. Although no puzzle requires a greater knowledge of mathematics than the high school curriculum, this collection will take you to the edge. But are you equal to the challenge? Features High-school level of mathematics is the only pre-requisite Variety of algebraic, route-drawing, and geometrical conundrums Hints section for the lateral puzzles Warm-up excercises to sharpen the wits Full solutions to every problem Barry R. Clarke has published over 1,500 puzzles in The Daily Telegraph and has contributed enigmas to New Scientist, The Sunday Times, Reader’s Digest, The Sunday Telegraph, and Prospect magazine. His book Challenging Logic Puzzles Mensa has sold over 100,000 copies. As well as a PhD in Shakespeare Studies, Barry has a master’s degree and academic publications in quantum physics. He is now working on a revised theory of the hydrogen atom. Other skills include mathematics tutor, filmmaker, comedy-sketch writer, cartoonist, computer programmer, and blues guitarist! For more information please visit http://barryispuzzled.com.
Puzzle and Proof: A Decade of Problems from the Utah Math Olympiad is a compilation of the problems and solutions for the first 10 years of the Utah Math Olympiad. The problems are challenging but should be understandable at a high school level. Besides putting all problems in one place (70 in total), which have not previously appeared in print, the book provides additional inspiration for many of the problems and will contain the first published solutions for 10 problems that were originally published on the contest flyer. The book will be a fantastic resource for anyone who enjoys mathematical and/or logic puzzles or is interested in studying for mathematics competitions. Features 70 carefully designed, high-quality high-school level math proof problems, with full solutions Detailed pictures and diagrams throughout to aid understanding Suitable for anyone with high school-level mathematics skills with an interest in furthering their understanding, or just enjoying the puzzles Solutions in the back of the book, sorting the problems by difficulty and topic.
Basic Gambling Mathematics: The Numbers Behind the Neon, Second Edition explains the mathematics involved in analyzing games of chance, including casino games, horse racing and other sports, and lotteries. The book helps readers understand the mathematical reasons why some gambling games are better for the player than others. It is also suitable as a textbook for an introductory course on probability. Along with discussing the mathematics of well-known casino games, the author examines game variations that have been proposed or used in actual casinos. Numerous examples illustrate the mathematical ideas in a range of casino games while end-of-chapter exercises go beyond routine calculations to give readers hands-on experience with casino-related computations. New to the Second Edition Thorough revision of content throughout, including new sections on the birthday problem (for informal gamblers) and the Monty Hall problem, as well as an abundance of fresh material on sports gambling Brand new exercises and problems A more accessible level of mathematical complexity, to appeal to a wider audience.
A Stitch in Line: Mathematics and One-Stitch Sashiko provides readers with instructions for creating hitomezashi items with minimum outlay. The reader is guided through the practical steps involved in creating each design, and then the mathematics which underpins it is explained in a friendly, accessible way. This is a fantastic book for anyone who is interested in recreational mathematics and/or fibre arts and can be a useful resource for teaching and learning mathematical concepts in a fun and engaging format. Features Numerous full-colour photographs of hitomezashi stitch patterns which have been mathematically designed. Suitable for readers of all mathematical levels and backgrounds — no prior knowledge is automatically assumed. A compressed encoding for recording and designing hitomezashi patterns to be stitched or drawn. Accessible explanations and explorations of mathematical concepts inherent in, or illustrated by, hitomezashi patterns.
The Baseball Mysteries: Challenging Puzzles for Logical Detectives is a book of baseball puzzles, logical baseball puzzles. To jump in, all you need is logic and a casual fan’s knowledge of the game. The puzzles are solved by reasoning from the rules of the game and a few facts. The logic in the puzzles is like legal reasoning. A solution must argue from evidence (the facts) and law (the rules). Unlike legal arguments, however, a solution must reach an unassailable conclusion. There are many puzzle books. But there’s nothing remotely like this book. The puzzles here, while rigorously deductive, are firmly attached to actual events, to struggles that are reported in the papers every day. The puzzles offer a unique and scintillating connection between abstract logic and gritty reality. Actually, this book offers the reader an unlimited number of puzzles. Once you’ve solved a few of the challenges here, every boxscore you see in the papers or online is a new puzzle! It can be anywhere from simple, to complex, to impossible. For anyone who enjoys logical puzzles For anyone interested in legal reasoning For anyone who loves the game of baseball. Jerry Butters has a BA in mathematics from Oberlin College, and an MS in mathematics and a PhD in economics from the University of Chicago. He taught mathematics for two years at Mindanao State University in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer. He taught economics for five years at Princeton University. For most of his career, he worked on consumer protection cases and policy issues at the Federal Trade Commission. In his retirement, he has become a piano teacher and performer. He enjoys hobbies ranging from reading Chinese to practicing Taiji. This book is an outgrowth of another of his hobbies - his love of designing and solving puzzles of all sorts. Jim Henle has a BA in mathematics from Dartmouth College and a PhD from M.I.T. He taught for two years at U. P. Baguio in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer, two years at a middle school as alternative service, and 42 years at Smith College. His research is primarily in logic and set theory, with additional papers in geometry, graph theory, number theory, games, economics, and music. He edited columns for The Mathematical Intelligencer. He authored or co-authored five books. His most recent book, The Proof and the Pudding, compares mathematics and gastronomy. He has collaborated with Jerry on puzzle papers and chamber music concerts.
Design Techniques for Origami Tessellations is both a collection of origami tessellations and a manual to design them. This book begins by explaining general design methods, the history and definitions of origami tessellations, and the geometric features of flat origami, before moving on to introduce a brand-new design method: the "twist-based design method." This method generates base parts that connect "twist patterns” (that can be folded with a twist) without using a lattice. Therefore, it can generate base parts such as regular pentagons, which cannot be generated with more conventional methods, and can generate new origami tessellations connected to them. Features: No proofs or formulas in the text and minimal jargon. Suitable for readers with a roughly middle school to high school level of mathematical background. Web application implementing the method described in this book is available, allowing the readers to design their own patterns.
