ENGLISH

Adventures in group theory: Rubik's cube, Merlin's machine, and other mathematical toys

By David Joyner

Book information

Publisher
The Johns Hopkins University Press
Year
2008
ISBN
9780801890123, 9780801890130, 0801890128, 0801890136
LCC
QA174.2 .J69 2008
Open Library ID
OL16899494M
Language
english
Format
DJVU
Filesize
2 MB (2511578 bytes)
Edition
2nd
Pages
332\332
Library
Kolxo3
DPI
600
Scanned
yes
Time added
2010-07-29 05:14:56

Description

This updated and revised edition of David Joyner's entertaining "hands-on" tour of group theory and abstract algebra brings life, levity, and practicality to the topics through mathematical toys. Joyner uses permutation puzzles such as the Rubik's Cube and its variants, the 15 puzzle, the Rainbow Masterball, Merlin's Machine, the Pyraminx, and the Skewb to explain the basics of introductory algebra and group theory. Subjects covered include the Cayley graphs, symmetries, isomorphisms, wreath products, free groups, and finite fields of group theory, as well as algebraic matrices, combinatorics, and permutations. Featuring strategies for solving the puzzles and computations illustrated using the SAGE open-source computer algebra system, the second edition of Adventures in Group Theory is perfect for mathematics enthusiasts and for use as a supplementary textbook.

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