Penrose Tiles to Trapdoor Ciphers: And the Return of Dr Matrix (Spectrum) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "At the end of a 1975 Scientific American column on tiling the plane periodically with congruent convex polygons (reprinted in my Time Travel and Other..." (more)
Key Phrases: infinite cartwheel pattern, smallest complete graph, force nonperiodicity, Scientific American, Journal of Combinatorial Theory, Wythoff's Nim (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Here is another collection drawn from Martin Gardner's 'Mathematical Games' column in Scientific American. Each chapter explores a different theme, for example fractals, surreal numbers, the sculptures of Berrocal, tiling the plane, Ramsey theory and code breaking, all combining to create a rich diet of recreational mathematics. Most chapters can be readily understood by the uninitiated: at each turn there are challenges for the reader and a wealth of references for further reading. Gardner's clarity of style and ability systematically to simplify the complex make this an excellent vehicle in which to start or continue an interest in recreational mathematics.

Book Description

Each chapter in this Gardner collection explores a different theme; for example fractals, surreal numbers, the sculptures of Berrocal, tiling the plane and code breaking. Gardner's clarity of style and ability to explain make this an excellent vehicle in which to start or continue an interest in recreational mathematics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 329 pages
• Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America; Revised edition (July 24, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883855216
• ISBN-13: 978-0883855218
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,270,064 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)