The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects - Volume 3: The Magic of Mathematics

Description

Jennifer Beineke is professor of mathematics at Western New England University. Jason Rosenhouse is professor of mathematics at James Madison University. Beineke and Rosenhouse are the coeditors of The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects, Volumes I and II (Princeton). The history of mathematics is replete with examples of major breakthroughs resulting from the solutions to recreational problems. The modern theory of probability arose out of problems of concern to gamblers, for example, and modern combinatorics grew out of various games and puzzles. Despite this track record and a wealth of popular-level books, research in recreational mathematics has often been neglected. The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects remedies this situation and returns with an all-new third volume, presenting further research into diverse areas of recreational mathematics. This third volume focuses on four areas: puzzles and brainteasers, games, algebra and number theory, and geometry and topology. Among the many topics, readers will create Spiral Galaxies (Japanese symmetric grid puzzles consisting of squares and circles) whose solutions are letters and numbers, delve into a paradox in the game of Bingo, examine the card tricks of mathematician-philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce, and learn about the mathematics behind Legos. Elucidating the many connections between mathematics and games, The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects is sure to challenge and inspire mathematicians and math enthusiasts. [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] Frontmatter......Page 1 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] Contents......Page 5 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] Foreword......Page 7 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] Preface and Acknowledgments......Page 15 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 1. Probability in Your Head......Page 23 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 2. Solving Puzzles Backward......Page 31 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 3. Spiral Galaxies Font......Page 44 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 4. Kings Sages Hats and Codes......Page 51 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 5. How to Predict the Flip of a Coin......Page 62 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 6. Coins and Logic......Page 75 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 7. Bingo Paradoxes......Page 95 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 8. Wiggly Games and Burnsides Lemma......Page 109 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 9. Losing at Checkers Is Hard......Page 121 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 10. Chutes and Ladders without Chutes or Ladders......Page 137 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 11. Bugs Braids and Batching......Page 157 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 12. The Magic of Charles Sanders Peirce......Page 177 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 13. Can You Win Khalou in Five Moves......Page 220 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 14. On Partitions into Squares of Distinct Integers Whose Reciprocals Sum to 1......Page 229 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 15. Puzzles Parity Maps and Plenty of Solutions......Page 238 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 16. Should We Call Them Flexa-Bands......Page 263 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 17. The Shortest Connection Problem on Triangular Grids......Page 276 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] 18. Entropy of Lego Jumper Plates......Page 301 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] About the Editors......Page 327 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] About the Contributors......Page 329 [9780691194417 - The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects] Index......Page 337