Entertaining Mathematical Puzzles

Gardner's work is always a delight to read, and this is not an exception. The problems are fun yet manageable, therefore are good exercises when one needs some simple yet truly insightful ideas about how the world functions on the mathematical level. I spent one spring break from college devoting my time to solving the problems in this book alone, and it proved to be worthwhile as it provided me with some interesting facts of science, challenged me in a way that I did not feel "threatened", while gave me an opportunity to just pick up a pencil and a piece of paper to relax. The problems are short and are categorized by field so you will have some basic idea about the background.

"Entertaining mathematical puzzles" by Martin Gartner is collection of rather easy math puzzles of diverse mathematical topics. Only an elementary knowledge of math and the will to resist looking up the answers before completing the problems. Clear and concise comments at the beginning of each section explain the nature and importance of the math needed to solve each puzzle. A carefully explained solution follows each problem. In many cases, all that is needed to solve a problem is the ability to think logically and clearly, to be on the alert for surprising angles or hidden factors. Here is an example of what you can find inside this book: "If three cats catch three rats in three minutes, how many cats will catch 100 rats in 100 minutes?" If you like more challenging pure mathematical teasers and puzzles, you may want to try "Challenging mathematical teasers" by J. A. H. Hunter.

As most of Martin Gardner's books, this is an enchanting collection of puzzles. No author has done a better job at popularizing and illustrating the beauty of mathematics.

I give this book five stars. Though the problems and puzzles were created several years ago, it introduces or, at least, reintroduces the reader to humorous and thought-provoking examples highlighting how intuitive and counterintuitive processes can collide into one another.Martin Gardner's witty writing style makes this book a pleasant pathway to the realms of logic. Neat and concise with its stories and challenges throughout and with solutions at the very end, the book is a very ideal read, especially if you are a passenger with a very long trip ahead and who needs good quality entertainment that is also educational.

Entertaining Mathematical Problems by Martin Gardner is a great book for all ages. This book has over 100 problems in sections ranging from topology to games. Some of the problems are simple to many, but there are some that require thought to do. Answers are included on the back. Any math lover will surely enjoy this book. Paul Raff ([email protected]