Mathematical Puzzles of Sam Loyd

Description

One of the very few great innovators of puzzles, Sam Loyd (1841-1911) invented thousands of the most valuable, ingenious, and popular puzzles ever originated. After his death, his son issued a vast collection of these puzzles which had appeared in newspapers and magazines for more than thirty years. This collection, entitled "Cyclopedia of Puzzles", although riddled with mistakes, typographical errors, wrong answers, and frequently no answers at all, was probably the most fabulous and exciting collection of puzzles ever assembled between the covers of one volume. In this present volume, Martin Gardner, well-known editor and author of many science and puzzle books and articles, offers a choice selection of the best mathematical puzzles of Sam Loyd, taken from the long out-of-print "Cyclopedia,” each one edited for accuracy and clarity, but in such a way as not to sacrifice the unique style and historical flavor of the originals. Many of Sam Loyd's most famous puzzles are included here, such as his "14-15” puzzle which became a national craze, and his "Horse of a Different Color," which sold by the millions. In all, 117 of his most ingenious posers are included, complete with the more than 120 line drawings and diagrams with which they were originally illustrated. One added feature of this present selection that will interest puzzle fans is the analytical table of contents that groups the puzzles according to the type of mathematics necessary to solve them. Whatever your taste in mathematical puzzles, you will be able to locate easily puzzles based on arithmetic and algebra problems; probability and game theory problems; operations research problems; geometrical dissection problems? route tracing and topological problems? and counter and sliding block problems. 117 puzzles. Solutions. More than 120 illustrations. Selected references, xx + 167pp. 5 3/8 x 8. Paperbound.