Mathematical Snapshots (Paperback)

by Hugo Steinhaus (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Numerous photographs and diagrams help explain and illustrate mathematical phenomena in this series of thought-provoking expositions. Ranging from simple puzzles and games to more advanced problems, topics include the psychology of lottery players, the arrangement of chromosomes in a human cell, new and larger prime numbers, the fair division of a cake, how to find the shortest possible way to link a dozen locations by rail, and many other absorbing conundrums. A fascinating glimpse into the world of numbers and their uses. 1969 ed. 391 b/w illus.


Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Polish

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; 3 edition (July 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486409147
• ISBN-13: 978-0486409146
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,458,043 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mathematical Snapshots, June 13, 2000

By	Charles E. Chandler (Kula, Maui) - See all my reviews

Mathematical Snapshots is a wonderful excursion into the mind of a mathematician. It answers a question that was asked of the author "You claim to be a mathematician; well, what does one do all day when one is a mathematician?" This book explores games, the computation of shortest paths, why two soap bubbles blown from the same pipe are different sizes, how to pursue another boat on the open water, how to color maps, the simplest forms of solid objects, mobius strips, where to locate schools, the ideal musical scale, and many, many others. Each topic is presented in a short, concise paragraph along with a diagram or picture of explanation. The author asks the reader to supply answers and reasoning. It is readily readable by those with mathematical inclination (even if they can no longer `push' the numbers) and provides hours of enjoyment and expansion of the mind.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One step beyond Martin Gardner, January 28, 2005

By	Dr. Gordon Hamilton (Calgary, AB Canada) - See all my reviews

Among the top 3 recreational math books I have read. Multiple mathematical problems are tackled with a pithy style suitable to recreational mathematicians who want to go beyond the lyricism of Martin Gardner.