Math Tricks, Puzzles & Games [Hardcover]

Raymond Blum (Author), Jeff Sinclair (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1994

Card tricks, games for one or two, number magic, brainteasers and much more are included in this collection of "arithmetricks". Determination, confidence and time are all that are required to solve these tricky puzzles. Comical illustrations are featured throughout.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Blum, a middle-school teacher whose alter ego is "Professor Numbers," presents a collection of coin and card tricks, mathematical games, geometric puzzlers, brain teasers, and calculator riddles sure to intrigue children who enjoy math. Even those who don't shine in math class may find the games and cartoon illustrations appealing. Some of the tricks will seem like magic, until the child plays around with them long enough for the principles to sink in. Line drawings clarify the procedures for some of the tricks. A good resource for teachers looking for original approaches to math and for children who like magic tricks and mental puzzlers. Carolyn Phelan

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Sterling Pub Co Inc (June 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806905824
• ISBN-13: 978-0806905822
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,101,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic problems just right for fourth graders, March 10, 2001

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Math Tricks, Puzzles and Games (Paperback)

My fourth grade son recently purchased this book and he has been enjoying it ever since. He really likes the problems that appear to be magical, but are in fact simple applications of numbers. None of the problems are original, most would be considered classics, and some have been around for centuries. However, that does not detract from their quality, as they require a great deal of thought, some of it of the sideways variety. Like most good puzzles, successfully arriving at the solution sometimes requires that the obvious possibility be rejected in favor of a different approach.
A previous reviewer mentions that there is an error on page 69. That person is mistaken. The problem is correct as stated, the reviewer is simply not understanding that the numbers are not to be altered from their current alignment, which would mean the numbers that are left aligned are to be considered to have trailing zeros.
I enjoyed the book and my children are finding the problems to be challenging and educational. In no way do I regret allowing my son to purchase it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes math fun, July 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Math Tricks, Puzzles and Games (Paperback)

Great book for making math fun and approachable...wish there more like it. I actually enjoyed and looked forward to helping my kid with math.

1.0 out of 5 stars Mathemagic tricks quickly lose interest..., February 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Math Tricks, Puzzles & Games (Hardcover)

This book was written by copying existing well-known tricks. In my opinion this is a waste of money, and my worst online purchase ever.