The moment of proof : mathematical epiphanies

Description

"In The Moment of Proof, Donald Benson attempts to convey to general readers the feeling of eureka - the joy of discoverythat mathematicians feel when they first encounter an elegant proof." "This is not an introduction to mathematics so much as an introduction to the pleasures of mathematical thinking. The book is packed with intriguing conundrums - Loyd's Fifteen Puzzle, the Petersburg Paradox, the Chaos Game, the Monty Hall Problem, the Prisoners' Dilemma - as well as many mathematical curiosities. We learn how to perform the arithmetical calculation called "casting out nines" and are introduced to Russian peasant multiplication, a bizarre way to multiply numbers that actually works. The book shows us how to calculate the number of ways a chef can combine ten or fewer spices to flavor his soup (1,024) and how many people we would have to gather in a room to have a 50-50 chance of two having the same birthday (23 people). But most important, Benson takes us step by step through these many mathematical wonders, so that we arrive at the solution much the way a working scientist would - and with much the same feeling of surprise."--BOOK JACKET.  Read more... I. Recalling. 1. Reflections. 2. Hand in Hand. 3. Further Progression -- II. Counting. 4. Interesting Numbers. 5. Tenpins, and Counting. 6. Order and Reorder. 7. Outcast. 8. The Power of Two. 9. Divide and Conquer. 10. Set and Match. 11. Chance Encounter -- III. Balancing. 12. Cutouts. 13. Seesaw, Marjorie Daw. 14. Two Pearls -- IV. Numbering. 15. New Numbers for Old. 16. Prime News. 17. The Unknown Division. 18. Secret Messages -- V. Winning. 19. Be Wise, Optimize. 20. The Play's the Thing