Mathematical Snapshots

by Hugo Steinhaus

Book Overview

Numerous photographs, diagrams explain mathematical phenomena in series of thought-provoking expositions. From simple puzzles to more advanced problems, topics include psychology of lottery players,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195032675
• ISBN13: 9780195032673
• Release Date: April 1983
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

One step beyond Martin Gardner

Among the top 3 recreational math books I have read. Multiple mathematical problems are tackled with a pithy style suitable to recreational mathematicians who want to go beyond the lyricism of Martin Gardner.

Mathematical Snapshots

Mathematical Snapshots is a wonderful excursion into the mind of a mathematician. It answers a question that was asked of the author "You claim to be a mathematician; well, what does one do all day when one is a mathematician?" This book explores games, the computation of shortest paths, why two soap bubbles blown from the same pipe are different sizes, how to pursue another boat on the open water, how to color maps, the simplest forms of solid objects, mobius strips, where to locate schools, the ideal musical scale, and many, many others. Each topic is presented in a short, concise paragraph along with a diagram or picture of explanation. The author asks the reader to supply answers and reasoning. It is readily readable by those with mathematical inclination (even if they can no longer `push' the numbers) and provides hours of enjoyment and expansion of the mind.