Follow the author

Martin Gardner

Follow

Riddles of the Sphinx and Other Mathematical Puzzle Tales (Anneli Lax New Mathematical Library, Series Number 32) Hardcover – International Edition, December 31, 1987

by Martin Gardner (Author)

4.6 5 ratings

See all formats and editions

Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. Try again.

Martin Gardner begins Riddles with questions about splitting up polygons into prescribed shapes and he ends this book with an offer of a prize of $100 for the first person to send him a 3 x# magic square consisting of consecutive primes. Only Gardner could fit so many diverse and tantalizing problems into one book. This material was drawn from Gardner's column in Issac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. His riddles presented here incorporate the responses of his initial readers, along with additions suggested by the editors of this series. In this book, Gardner draws us from questions to answers, always presenting us with new riddles- some as yet unanswered. Solving these riddles is not simply a matter of logic and calculation, though these play a role. Luck and inspiration are factors as well, so beginners and experts alike may profiably exercise their wits on Gardner's problems, whose subjects range from geometry to word play to questions relating to physics and geology. We guarantee that you will solve some of these riddles, be stumped by others, and be amused by almost all of the stories and settings that Gardner has devised to raise these questions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Martin Gardner-has published more that forty books including expository books on science, books exposing pseudoscience, a novel, and his The Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ American Mathematical Society (December 31, 1987)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 164 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0883856328
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0883856321
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.16 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.5 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #655,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #398 in Math Games
- #6,149 in Mathematics (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 5 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Martin Gardner

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

For 25 of his 95 years, Martin Gardner wrote 'Mathematical Games and Recreations', a monthly column for Scientific American magazine. These columns have inspired hundreds of thousands of readers to delve more deeply into the large world of mathematics. He has also made significant contributions to magic, philosophy, debunking pseudoscience, and children's literature. He has produced more than 60 books, including many best sellers, most of which are still in print. His Annotated Alice has sold more than a million copies. He continues to write a regular column for the Skeptical Inquirer magazine.