The Enjoyment of Math [Paperback]

Hans Rademacher (Author), Otto Toeplitz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0691023514 | ISBN-13: 978-0691023519 | Publication Date: November 1, 1966

What is so special about the number 30? How many colors are needed to color a map? Do the prime numbers go on forever? Are there more whole numbers than even numbers? These and other mathematical puzzles are explored in this delightful book by two eminent mathematicians. Requiring no more background than plane geometry and elementary algebra, this book leads the reader into some of the most fundamental ideas of mathematics, the ideas that make the subject exciting and interesting. Explaining clearly how each problem has arisen and, in some cases, resolved, Hans Rademacher and Otto Toeplitz's deep curiosity for the subject and their outstanding pedagogical talents shine through.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A thoroughly enjoyable sampler of fascinating mathematical problems and their solutions. -- Science



Each chapter is a gem of mathematical exposition.... [The book] will not only stretch the imagination of the amateur, but it will also give pleasure to the sophisticated mathematician. -- American Mathematical Monthly

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (November 1, 1966)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691023514
• ISBN-13: 978-0691023519
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,342,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Beauty and Exhiliration of Math, December 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Enjoyment of Mathematics: Selections from Mathematics for the Amateur (Dover Books on Mathematical & Word Recreations) (Paperback)

This is a superb book, and the best way to first sample the delights of math for its own sake. Don't let the subtitle "Selections from Mathematics for the Amateur" turn you off. True, the math involved is elementary, not going beyond high school algebra and geometry. But the material won't be found in most textbooks, having been chosen with elegance and beauty, rather than utility, in mind (which isn't to say that it doesn't have its important uses). Even the professional mathematician who has already seen most of the contents will profit from studying the book's exemplary treatment of its topics. The authors are some of the best math expositors who have ever lived. Each idea in the book is developed admirably, and strikes the perfect balance between conciseness and lucidity. You probably can't do better in choosing an introduction to prime and perfect numbers, the four-color problem, regular polyhedra, Pythagorean triples, pedal triangles, periodic decimal fractions, Waring's problem, the number 30 (sic!), and many other fascinating intellectual tibdits.

At Dover's low price, this book is a great buy. Get it! If you have more mathematical knowledge, then I also recommend "Proofs from the Book" by Aigner, et al., which is written for mathematicians in a similar style.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent collection of problems at the elementary level, July 12, 2000

By 

Arif Zaman (Lahore, Pakistan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Enjoyment of Mathematics: Selections from Mathematics for the Amateur (Dover Books on Mathematical & Word Recreations) (Paperback)

Written by two top-notch mathematicians, requiring the mathematics that a high school student can do, this book takes you on a journey that is easy to follow and yet shows the power of mathematics. It is an excellent book for high school enrichement or early undergraduates.

Even if you are a mathematician you will be suprized at many of the results and enjoy trying to solve some of the problems. Many of the problems are quite hard. Even though some of the problems are the standard ones, many are off the beaten track. No matter what your level of expertise, I am sure you will enjoy this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful read, December 10, 2009

By 

isenham (whittier, ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Enjoyment of Math (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to high school students with an interest in studying math in college. Typically, high school students are not exposed to well written proofs. This book would remedy the situation.