Hexaflexagons, Probability Paradoxes and the Tower of Hanoi

Paradoxes and paper-folding, Moebius variations and mnemonics, fallacies, magic squares, topological curiosities, parlor tricks, and games ancient and modern, from Polyominoes, Nim, Hex, and the Tower of Hanoi to four-dimensional ticktacktoe. These mathematical recreations, clearly and cleverly presented by Martin Gardner, delight and perplex while demonstrating principles of logic, probability, geometry, and other fields of mathematics. Hexaflexagons, Probability Paradoxes, and the Tower of Hanoi is the inaugural volume in Martin Gardner's New Mathematical Library. This book of the earliest of Gardner's enormously popular Scientific American columns and puzzles continues to challenge and fascinate readers. Now the author, in consultation with experts, has added updates to all the chapters, including new game variations, mathematical proofs, and other developments and discoveries.

ISBN 0521735254   Volumes 1 ISBN13 9780521735254 (What's this?)   Weight (grammes) 250 Publisher Cambridge University Press   Published in Cambridge Imprint Cambridge University Press   Series ISSN 01 Format Paperback   Series title The New Martin Gardner Mathematical Library Publication date 08 Sep 2008   Height (mm) 216 Library of Congress QA95   Width (mm) 138 DEWEY 510   Spine width (mm) 10 DEWEY edition DC22   Academic level General, Tertiary education Pages 208

		Acknowledgments
		Introduction to the First Edition
		Preface to the Second Edition
1		Hexaflexagons		1
2		Magic with a Matrix		16
3		Nine Problems		24
4		Ticktacktoe		37
5		Probability Paradoxes		48
6		The Icosian Game and the Tower of Hanoi		63
7		Curious Topological Models		73
8		The Game of Hex		82
9		Sam Loyd: America's Greatest Puzzlist		94
10		Mathematical Card Tricks		109
11		Memorizing Numbers		115
12		Nine More Problems		123
13		Polyominoes		137
14		Fallacies		157
15		Nim and Tac Tix		166
16		Left or Right?		177
		Index		189

'Gardner's monthly romp through recreational math and logic ran in Scientific American for 25 years, from the Sputnik splash to the Reagan reign, and nobody has been able to match it since. 'Mathematical Games' was an orgy of right-brain tomfoolery that could be approached for superficial fun or deep insight, or both at the same time ... I can't think of a better present for a clever 12-year old, bored undergraduate, restless retiree, or stay-at-home parent fearing intellectual stagnation.' David Brooks, The Telegraph 'Hexaflexagons, Probability Paradoxes, and the Tower of Hanoi and Origami, Eleusis, and the Soma Cube provide a taste of Gardner's prowess at devising quirky and fascinating mathematical conundrums. An excellent example is the 'generalised ham-sandwich theorem', which, among other things, explains how a doughnut can be sliced into 13 pieces by three simultaneous plane cuts.' Physics World 'For libraries, these famous and important books are an essential acquisition: they can have a complete set, with a uniform look, including updates. It is hard to exaggerate the importance and influence of these books. ... what makes it all work is Gardner's writing. He is simple and direct, his explanations are clear, and he always includes the reader, inviting us to build models, play games, try out methods, solve problems. The readers respond, participate, and contribute, often in creative and productive ways. ... These books are fascinating, useful, fun, and historically significant. You must have them! Buy one for yourself, and buy many to give away. Have your students read them. Give a set to your local high school (they'll be published over five years, so it won't even be a financial burden). Time has passed, and a generation that knoweth not Gardner has arisen. Now we can fix that.' MAA Reviews 'I believe that many readers will enjoy the book with great pleasure.' EMS Newsletter

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