Problems for Mathematicians, Young and Old (Dolciani Mathematical Expositions) [Paperback]

P. R. Halmos (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Mathematical Assn of Amer (December 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883853205
• ISBN-13: 978-0883853207
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #955,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly exceptional book, November 14, 2008

By 

Adnan Aziz (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Problems for Mathematicians, Young and Old (Dolciani Mathematical Expositions) (Paperback)

I should preface my review by saying this is the first item I've ever reviewed on Amazon, and I've been buying from Amazon for 10 years. I felt I had to write this review as a counterpoint to an earlier negative review given to this book.

Not only are the problems in this book very interesting to work on, they also illustrate key points in algebra, calculus, set theory, etc. I would say that successfully completing the problems in this book would give you mathematical expertise comparable to that of a first year math graduate student.

When people ask me for math book recommendations, this is the book I suggest. Everyone I've suggested this book to has liked it.

For reference, I have a PhD in EECS (I minored in math) and have taught engineering for the past 12 years.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sublime problems although some are sophisticated, November 12, 2003

By 

Erik Lundberg (Gainesville, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Problems for Mathematicians, Young and Old (Dolciani Mathematical Expositions) (Paperback)

I would put this book above the puzzle books by Martin Gardner. The problems range in prerequisite knowledge from none required (brain teasers and logic puzzles) to undergraduate degree in mathematics (topology, calculus). I especially recommend it for someone who likes good brain teasers (like the three light switches puzzle) but also knows some complicated math.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inviting, Varied, and Masterful Piece of Work, November 26, 2011

By 

Theseus "theseus" (US of A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Problems for Mathematicians, Young and Old (Dolciani Mathematical Expositions) (Paperback)

Apparently, after a long career as a mathematician, Halmos sat down, gathered together the problems he had been accumulating for years in various forms and assembled them into this book. The result is an interesting and peripatetic piece of work -- well-edited, well-composed, and fun. Some of this stuff requires the facility which only comes via an advanced degree and math. Other problems can be tackled by high school students.