Customer Reviews

Mathematical Bafflers (Dover Recreational Math)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I agree with the first reviewer! The problems are fun to read and think about. Unlike many problem books that state problems in a long-winded and confusing style, this book contains a series of interesting puzzles that are presented in a nice brief, easy to read format. The drawings are cute as well! It was this book, and others like it, that helped spark my interest in mathematics and problem solving from a young age. Now I use puzzles of this type for my own students! They make nice extra credit problems on exams! :-)

I actually have the 1st edition hardbound book that is copyrighted in 1964. It is also 217 pages and must be identical to the new editions.

This book is filled with puzzles that were chosen for "originality, elegance of solution, and imaginative appeal." "The book singles out problem themes and solutions calling for ingenuity rather than perseverance."

The book is arranged according to the types of problems. Here's how the chapters are broken up: 1)Algebraic Amusements, 2)Geometric Exercises, 3)Solving in Integers, 4)Problems in Logic and Deduction, 5)Probability Posers, 6)Insight Puzzles, 7)Assorted Number Theory Problems.

The problems vary from simple to difficult. Overall, there's a good selection of mathematical brain-teasers.

It's not bad of a book. Many are well-thought out, and there are lots of creative pictures. The problems are challenging but not too challenging for anyone who is mathematically mature. There are solutions to every problem, but my complaint is that some of the solutions are not well-explained. Either I get it or don't, the "don't" part is where I have to forget about the problem as "trivial" and move on. There are not that many of them thou. A few problems posed in the book are pretty bad such as the age problem in page 18. That age problem on pg. 18 could have been solved much easier had the problem be rephrased (or maybe more insight in the solution page). Another problem on pg. 20 can be solved by ordinary physics formula of Newton's Law with s = (.5)at^2. After I solved the problem and checked the solution, I was surprised the author didn't take the route that I took. Of course, my way is lengthy but correct. That brings up another complaint: try to be multidimensional when offering solutions like how the author was when in Four Fours (which was extremely nice and very friendly). Anyhow, it's a good book at a very cheap price.

This book, while challenging, may be too easy for those past 7th grade, yet to hard for those below fifth. also, the layout is extremely confusing