Famous puzzles of great mathematicians

Title: Famous puzzles of great mathematicians

Author: Miodrag S. Petković

Pages: 325

Call Number: QA95 .P4358 2009

Synopsis: This book is a collection of problems in recreational mathematics. Petkovic (Univ. of Nis, Serbia) introduces each topic by presenting a famous historical problem and a brief biography of the mathematician who first proposed or solved the problem. Several areas of mathematics are represented in various chapters, e.g., "Number Theory," "Graphs," "Probability," and "Geometry." The problems and puzzles include many classic topics in recreational mathematics, including river crossing puzzles, geometrical dissections, Hamilton's dodecahedron puzzle, and problems on the chessboard. After demonstrating the solution to the original problem, the author then challenges the reader to solve a number of related problems. Solutions to these problems are provided at the end of each chapter. Four appendixes offer more in-depth explanations of specialized techniques, including the geometrical inversions and the solution of Pell's equation. An extensive bibliography lists resources for further study. This book will be accessible to undergraduate students and should also be of interest to faculty looking for interesting problems to use in their teaching. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates and their instructors. B. Borchers New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology