Steven Skiena
Calculated Bets
Computers, Gambling, and Mathematical Modeling to Win
Description
This is a book about a gambling system that works. It tells the story of how the author used computer simulations and mathematical modeling techniques to predict the outcome of jai-alai matches and bet on them successfully - increasing his initial stake by over 500% in one year! His results can work for anyone: at the end of the book he tells the best way to watch jai-alai, and how to bet on it. With humor and
enthusiasm, Skiena details a life-long fascination with computer predictions and sporting events.
Along the way, he discusses other gambling systems, both successful and unsuccessful, for such games as lotto, roulette, blackjack, and the stock market. Indeed, he shows how his jai-alai system functions just like a miniature stock trading system. Do you want to learn about program trading systems, the future of Internet
gambling, and the real reason brokerage houses don't offer mutual funds that invest at racetracks and frontons? How mathematical models are used in political polling? The difference between correlation and causation? If you are curious about gambling and mathematics, odds are this book is for you!
Chapter Contents
1. The making of a gambler; 2. What is Jai-Alai?; 3. Monte Carlo on the Tundra; 4. The impact of the Internet; 5. Is this bum any good?; 6. Modeling the playoffs; 7. Engineering the system; 8. Putting my money where my
mouth is; 9. How should you bet?; 10. Projects to ponder.
ISBN: 0-521-00962-6
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 0-521-80426-4
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 256
Andy Liu
The Hungarian Problem Book III
New Mathematical Library series
Description
This book contains the problems and solutions of a famous Hungarian mathematics competition for high school students, from 1929 to1943. The competition is the oldest in the world, and started in 1894. Two earlier volumes in this series contain the papers up to 1928, and further volumes are planned. The current edition adds a lot of background material which is helpful for solving the problems therein and beyond.
Multiple solutions to each problem are exhibited, often with discussions of necessary background
material or further remarks. This feature will increase the appeal of the book to experienced mathematicians as well as the beginners for whom it is primarily intended.
Chapter Contents
1. Evtvvs mathematics competition problems; 2. Combinatorics problems; 3. Number theory problems; 4. Algebra problems; 5. Geometry problems part I; 6. Geometry problems part II.
ISBN: 0-88385-644-1
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 300
James Tanton
Solve This
Activities for Students and Math Clubs
Description
Sophisticated mathematics is accessible to all. This book proves it! This is a collection of intriguing mathematical problems and activities linked by common themes that all involve working with objects from our everyday experience. learn about the mathematics of a bagel, a checkerboard and a pile of llaundry for
example. Discover for yourself that wheels need not be round, that braids need not have free
ends, that it's always best to turn around twice-and more! Mathematics is all around us, we all do mathematics every day. The activities contained in this book are immediate, catchy and fun, but upon investigation, begin to unfold into surprising layers of depth and new perspectives. The necessary mathematics, in increasing levels of difficulty, is explained fully along the way. Mathematics educators will find this an invaluable resource of fresh and innovative approaches to topics in mathematics.
Chapter Contents
Part I. Activities, Discussions and Problem Statements: 1. Dostribution dilemmas; 2. Weird shapes; 3. Counting on the odds ・and evens; 4. Dicing slicing and avoiding bad bits; 5. 'Impossible'paper tricks; 6. Tiling challenges; 7.
Things that won't falll doown; 8. Mvbius madness; tortuous twists on a classic theme; 9. The infamous bycicle problem; 10. Making surfaces in 3 and 4 dimensional space; 11. Paradoxes in probability theory; 12. Don't turn
around just once; 13. It's all in a square; 14. Bagel math; 15.Capturing chaos; 16. Who has the advantage; 17. Laundry math; 18. Get knotted; 19. Tiling and walking; 20. Automata antics; 21. Bunnle trouble; 22. Halves and
doubles; 23. Playing with playing cards; 24. Map mechanics; 25. Weird lotteries; 26. Flipped out; 27. Parts that do not add up to theior whole; 28. Making the sacrifice; 29. Problems in parity; 30 Chessboard maneuvers; Part II. Hints, Some Solutions annd Further Thoughts: Part III. Solutions and Discussions.
ISBN: 0-88385-717-0
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 300
Hans Walser
The Golden Section
Description
The Golden Section has played a part since antiquity in many parts of geometry, architecture, music, art and philosophy. However, it also appears in the newer domains of technology and fractals. In this way, the Golden Section is no isolated phenomenon but rather, in many cases. the first and also the simplest non-trivial
example in the context of generalisations leading to further developments. It is the purpose of this book, on the one hand, to describe examples of the Golden section, and on the other, to show some paths to further
extensions. The treatment is informal and the text is enriched by the presence of very illuminating diagrams. Questions are posed at fairly frequent intervals and the answers to these questions, perhaps only in the form of very broad hints for their solution, are gathered together at the end of the text.
Chapter Contents
1. What is it all about?; 2. Fractals; 3. Golden geometry; 4. Folds and cuts; 5. Number sequences; 6. regular and semi-regular solids; 7. Examples and further questions.
ISBN: 0-88385-534-8
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 1214