Mathematical Mind-Benders
Preview
Book Description
Peter Winkler is at it again. Following the enthusiastic reaction to Mathematical Puzzles: A Connoisseur's Collection, Peter has compiled a new collection of elegant mathematical puzzles to challenge and entertain the reader. The original puzzle connoisseur shares these puzzles, old and new, so that you can add them to your own anthology. This book is for lovers of mathematics, lovers of puzzles, lovers of a challenge. Most of all, it is for those who think that the world of mathematics is orderly, logical, and intuitive-and are ready to learn otherwise! A pdf with errata is updated by the author and can be accessed here
Reviews
The puzzles, in general, are witty, entertaining, and, as promised, had surprising conclusions. The very bright undergraduates whom I asked to review the book really liked it; they had not seen these puzzles before and found the book a great collection of mathematical challenges, as I did.
—Joyce Fisher, Mathematics Teacher, August 2008… the thwarted puzzler need never feel annoyed. Even when the reader has had success, Winkler's solutions will often elucidate unexpected perspectives and ideas. … Summing Up: Recommended. All levels.
—CHOICE, May 2008This book is a collection of wonderful puzzles … It is not necessary to know advanced mathematics to appreciate this very good work and to solve the puzzles.
—Mathematical Reviews, April 2008Winkler has a keen eye for a good mindbender: the solution should be pleasing, neither too easy nor too difficult to find, and invoke some generally useful mathematical idea. This collection offers both stimulation and enlightenment…
—The London Mathematical Society, February 2008… I've been enjoying [the book] very much. So far my favorite puzzles are 'Rolling Pencil' and 'Winning at Wimbledon,' which I missed myself (slapping forehead), and which have fooled everyone else I've tried them on as well.
—Will Shortz, Puzzlemaster, NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, September 2007wonderful book presents, from diverse sources and with wit and humor, many interesting and challenging problems, both mathematical and otherwise. Like its predecessor, it is a must for the shelves of a problem connoisseur.
—Andy Liu, June 2007