Problem Solving Through Recreational Mathematics (Dover Books on Mathematics) [Paperback]

Bonnie Averbach (Author), Orin Chein (Author), Mathematics (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0486409171 | ISBN-13: 978-0486409177 | Publication Date: May 27, 1999

Many of the most important mathematical concepts were developed from recreational problems. This book uses problems, puzzles, and games to teach students how to think critically. It emphasizes active participation in problem solving, with emphasis on logic, number and graph theory, games of strategy, and much more. Includes answers to selected problems. Index. 1980 edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (May 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486409171
• ISBN-13: 978-0486409177
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #209,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Math Games

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Problem Solving Through Recreational Mathematics, March 28, 2000

By 

William Markel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Problem Solving Through Recreational Mathematics (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

I first became acquainted with this book about twenty years ago when it first appeared. Since it didn't fit into a standard niche in college mathematics curricula, it never really caught on and, before the Dover edition, was out of print for a number of years.

This was a shame, as this is both a wonderful and remarkable book. It has a broad appeal; amateur mathematicians, professional mathematicians, and puzzle buffs should all find something in it to interest them. It is both fun and rewarding at the same time. One can learn a great deal of mathematics from it. It also contains a method for solving linear Diophantine equations that I have never seen anywhere else.

The authors have added a chapter on probability which should further enhance this highly original work.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recreational mathematics as course work, March 14, 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: Problem Solving Through Recreational Mathematics (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

This book is the heavyweight champion of problems in recreational mathematics, containing a large number of very detailed problems in many areas. The presentation strategy is to develop the topic by using problems followed by an explanation followed by a detailed solution. The style is largely that of a textbook, which in fact is what it is designed to be. The authors developed the material as the main text for a course they teach in applied problem solving.
The chapters are largely independent, so it is possible to pick and chose the topics for a course. Do not let the word recreational in the title lead you to believe that these problems are bunnies. I am a co-editor of Journal of Recreational Mathematics and I found myself thinking long and hard about some of these problems. Granted, many are straightforward, but there are enough of the head-scratching variety to satisfy every taste. The general topics are logic, basic number theory, graph theory and games, with a few other topics interspersed.
With hundreds of problems, detailed solutions to the demonstrations and hints for most included, this is a resource unlike all others. If you teach a course in mathematical problem solving or beginning computer programming, you cannot help finding a problem in here that you can use to illustrate a topic or as a test question. I have already used a couple as the seeds for some programming exercises. Better yet, consider it as a textbook for your course in mathematical problem solving.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem and a steal, April 3, 2006

By 

Polymath-In-Training (Olive Branch, MS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Problem Solving Through Recreational Mathematics (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

This is a fun puzzle-type book, but with a difference from most such books. In this book, you will really learn some interesting mathematics. The authors' way of presenting the material is very effective. First, they present a problem or puzzle for the reader to attempt to solve. Then they show the mathematics behind the problem. Then they lead the reader through the solution and show how the mathematics is used to make solving such a problem easier.

I have an engineering degree and a minor in mathematics, but this book introduced me to some new areas of mathematics. It also helped me understand some areas that had been confusing before, such as applications of modular arithmetic and linear Diophantine equations. I bought this book in hardback a few years ago for $38. This new Dover edition in paperback at $14.95 list is a steal.