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Recreations in the Theory of Numbers (Dover Math Games & Puzzles) 2nd Revised ed. Edition
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Number theory, the Queen of Mathematics, is an almost purely theoretical science. Yet it can be the source of endlessly intriguing puzzle problems, as this remarkable book demonstrates. This is the first book to deal exclusively with the recreational aspects of the subject and it is certain to be a delightful surprise to all devotees of the mathematical puzzle, from the rawest beginner to the most practiced expert. Almost every aspect of the theory of numbers that could conceivably be of interest to the layman is dealt with, all from the recreational point of view. Readers will become acquainted with divisors, perfect numbers, the ingenious invention of congruences by Gauss, scales of notation, endless decimals, Pythagorean triangles (there is a list of the first 100 with consecutive legs; the 100th has a leg of 77 digits), oddities about squares, methods of factoring, mysteries of prime numbers, Gauss's Golden Theorem, polygonal and pyramidal numbers, the Pell Equation, the unsolved Last Theorem of Fermat, and many other aspects of number theory, simply by learning how to work with them in solving hundreds of mathematical puzzle problems. The text is extremely clear and easy to follow, and it bears convincing evidence of the author's deep sense of humor and his outstanding ability to lure the reader through even the most difficult trails by skillfully revealing their fascination. The problems distributed throughout the book are explained in the final chapter and there is also a supplementary chapter containing 100 problems and their solutions, many original. There are over 100 tables.
The appeal of these stimulating puzzles lies in their ready comprehensibility and the fact that only high school math is needed to master the fundamental theory presented by the author. This theory is itself interesting and of use to the more serious math student, but it may be omitted by lay readers without diminishing the book's challenge or detracting from the pleasure-giving nuggets it contains.
- ISBN-100486210960
- ISBN-13978-0486210964
- Edition2nd Revised ed.
- PublisherDover Publications
- Publication dateJune 1, 1964
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions5.4 x 0.78 x 8.5 inches
- Print length368 pages
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Product details
- Publisher : Dover Publications; 2nd Revised ed. edition (June 1, 1964)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0486210960
- ISBN-13 : 978-0486210964
- Item Weight : 14.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.4 x 0.78 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #806,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #170 in Number Theory (Books)
- #3,564 in Puzzles (Books)
- #26,723 in Unknown
- Customer Reviews:
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there aren't as many metaphors and mental exercises to help you wrap your head around all of the topics as you would expect if this were a modern book.
I have enjoyed reading it though
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Truthfully, this was a gift for my husband and he adores it. He's very into the sciences and he patiently explains the book to me and why he's laughing in delight while I do my best to 'get it'. It was part of our marriage vows that math and physics wouldn't be talked about before my morning coffee and other than that I'm happy to learn lol!
It's a really cool book and if I get my wind up, I'll give it a read, but for now it gives my hubby hours of delight. If you have 'that person' in your life, buy them this book and try to learn a bit from it while you do, you'll both be better for it :)
Books that I have bought were related either to automatic calculus (Concrete mathematics by Knuth, Prime Numbers by Crandall and Pomerance) or to abstract number theory. This book is instead related to problems and problem solving, with numerical examples and the theory behind them restricted to the problem. The Author also gives hints on how to enhance the search, offering heuristics and optimization ideas.
All in all, a wonderful book to learn computing techniques focusing the study to the actual subject.
Un bagage niveau DEUG permet d'apprécier les trésors contenus dans ce livre.
A noter qu'il est en anglais et que l'auteur semble avoir beaucoup d'humour, certains passages sont délicats à traduire mais rien d'insurmontable.
On y retrouve beaucoup de grands classiques mais surtout des curiosités originales et bien amenées. Comme beaucoup de livre de ce genre, il ne se veut pas comme un manuel de mathématiques académique et donc certains passage vous demanderont de démontrer vous-même les blancs d'une affirmation à l'autre. Ou alors de vous laisser porter par le propos de l'auteur pour accéder à des résultats intéressants.
C'est donc une lecture très stimulante et instructive.





