Mathematical Puzzles for Beginners and Euthusiasts

This is a delightful collection of head-scratchers all described in an easy-going format. Puzzles (all of them are word puzzles, and all answers appear at the back) are grouped as algebraic, geometric, easy-arithmetical, combinatoric, puzzles about integers, etc.; none are trivial, some are extremely challenging, and they all teach some point about inference or mathematical method. In the preface, the author writes, "Some of these puzzles are old favorites... to solve many of the puzzles, you need no knowledge of mathematics other than simple arithmetic... the full method of solution is explained for the more difficult puzzles." Great, great, great for taking an entertaining tour in mathematics and gaining some problem-solving wisdom along the way. When you solve any of these, you'll really feel ingenious. Thank you, Mr. Mott-Smith!

This is a first-rate collection of mathematical puzzles, from the very easy to the quite difficult. The book is divided into chapters, which usually begin with some discussion of techniques for solving a particular class of puzzles. It stays away from the super-difficult category. As such this book is for nearly everyone, not just those who want to prove their puzzle-solving skill.