Polyominoes: A Guide to Puzzles and Problems in Tiling (Spectrum) [Paperback]

George Martin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0883855011 | ISBN-13: 978-0883855010 | Publication Date: September 5, 1996

Polyominoes will delight not only students and teachers of mathematics at all levels, but will be appreciated by anyone who likes a good geometric challenge. There are no prerequisites. If you like jigsaw puzzles, or if you hate jigsaw puzzles but have ever wondered about the pattern of some floor tiling, there is much here to interest you. A polyomino is a shape cut along the lines from square graph paper; the pronunciation of polyomino begins as does polygon and ends as does domino. Tilings, also called tessellations of mosaic patterns, are older than civilization itself. Tiling with polyominoes provides challenges that range from the popular jigsaw-like puzzles to easily understood mathematical research problems. You will find unsolved puzzles and problems of both kinds here. Answers are provided for most of the problems that have known solutions. It is only fair to repeat here the warning stated in the preface to this book, 'Playing with polyominoes can be habit forming.'

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A good motivational tool to teach your students about mathematical reasoning. The writing is clear, with enough formality to make the arguments make sense. This book is a necessary part of a well-stocked library in recreational mathematics. ' Science Books & Films

Book Description

Polyominoes will delight not only students and teachers of mathematics at all levels, but will be appreciated by anyone who likes a good geometric challenge. There are no prerequisites. If you like jigsaw puzzles, or if you hate jigsaw puzzles but have ever wondered about the pattern of some floor tiling, there is much here to interest you.

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America (September 5, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883855011
• ISBN-13: 978-0883855010
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #613,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mathematics that everyone can do and enjoy, October 6, 2000

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Polyominoes: A Guide to Puzzles and Problems in Tiling (Spectrum) (Paperback)

If there is one area of recreational mathematics that is accessible to everyone, it is the practice of polyominoes. For in many cases, that is all it takes to solve the problems. While proving a result can be difficult, understanding the proof is almost always very easy.
In this book, you are taken through a series of steps starting with the basic construction of polyominoes and then moving through the basic sets of dominoes, trominoes, tetrominoes and pentominoes. A set of problems for each set is stated and proved. Both the problems and proofs are given in a clear and concise manner, making them accessible to anyone with the desire to learn and play. Some of the problems were unsolved at the time of printing, so there is still some opportunity for the reader to do something no one else has done.
The polyominoes are a subject that even children can enjoy. When my daughter was two years old she enjoyed moving them around and making things. I am a good deal older than that and I enjoy them just as much now as I did when I first discovered them decades ago. There are few things that can attract such a wide age group and this book as an excellent description of one of them.