The Master Book of Mathematical Recreations

By Fred Schuh

Book Overview

Praised for its "exceptionally good value" by the Journal of Recreational Mathematics, this book offers fun-filled insights into many fields of mathematics. The brainteasers include original puzzles as well as new approaches to classic conundrums. A vast assortment of challenges features domino puzzles, the game of noughts and crosses, games of encirclement, sliding movement puzzles, subtraction games, puzzles in mechanics, games with piles of matches, a road puzzle with concentric circles, "Catch the Giant," and much more.
Detailed solutions show several methods by which a particular problem may be answered, why one method is preferable, and where the others fail. With numerous worked examples, the clear, step-by-step analyses cover how the problem should be approached, including hints and enumeration of possibilities and determination of probabilities, application of the theory of probability, and evaluation of contingencies and mean values. Readers are certain to improve their puzzle-solving strategies as well as their mathematical skills.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486221342
• ISBN13: 9780486221342
• Release Date: December 2015
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

One of the standard references of recreational maths.

I can't believe no one has already added a review ofthis well-known and frequently referenced book. Perhapsnone was necessary as it is so widely known. The "Masterbook" is often cited by other authors - Gardiner, Berlekamp-Conway-Guy, etc. This book belongs in anyserious recreational mathematician's reference libraryalong with "Mathematical Recreations and Essays", "WinningWays", "Amusements in Mathematics". It is published byDover and is a high quality republication of a classicat a very low price. Top value for money.