The tradition of honoring Martin Gardner continues with this edited collection of articles by those who have been inspired by Gardner to enter mathematics, to enter magic, to bring magic into their mathematics, or to bring mathematics into their magic. Contributing authors include world-leading puzzle designers, puzzle collectors, mathematicians, and magicians.
The variety of articles includes card or magic tricks (with a mathematical trick behind them), the history behind given puzzles, mathematically interesting objects involving the number seven, and puzzles for the reader to solve. Specific puzzles discussed include tangram, 14-15 Puzzle, seven-coloring of the torus, packing circles, Crazy Elephant Dance, and more!
ISBN: 978-1-56881-315-8
Format: Hardcover
Pages: approx. 325
This collection, with 17 carefully selected contributions on the field of complex dynamics and adjacent fields, helps people get an overview of the active field of complex dynamics in its current scope. There are chapters that contain an introduction to complex dynamics that help introduce novices to the field, especially graduate students; some chapters, written by pioneers in the field (Thurston, Milnor, Shishikura) contain classical manuscripts that have influenced the field for more than two decades; several chapters contain original research publications that bring readers to the current frontier of research. The book is organized in four parts, according to different research areas within complex dynamics: (i) polynomial dynamics, (ii) rational and transcendental dynamics, (iii) several complex dimensions, (iv) “making new friends” with chapters that are more exploratory or link to adjacent areas.
ISBN: 978-1-56881-450-6
Format: Hardcover
Pages: approx. 600
This book traces the history of the MIT Department of Mathematics?one of the most important mathematics departments in the world?through candid, in-depth, lively conversations with a select and diverse group of its senior members. The process reveals much about the motivation, path, and impact of research mathematicians in a society that owes so much to this little understood and often mystified section of its intellectual fabric, exemplified by names like Euclid, Newton, Euler, and Godel.
At a time when the mathematical experience touches and attracts more laypeople than ever, such a book contributes to our understanding and entertains through its personal approach.
ISBN: 978-1-56881-449-0
Format: Hardcover
Pages: approx. 330
Summary
This book is a text on partial differential equations (PDEs) of mathematical physics and boundary value problems, trigonometric Fourier series, and special functions. This is the core content of many courses in the fields of engineering, physics, mathematics, and applied mathematics. The accompanying oftware provides a laboratory environment that allows the user to generate and model different physical situations and learn by experimentation. From this standpoint, the book along with the software can also be used as a reference book on PDEs, Fourier series and special functions for students and professionals alike.
Details
ISBN: 978-156881-335-6
Format: Hardcover
Pages: approx. 425
Summary
In this volume, world-leading puzzle designers, puzzle collectors, mathematicians, and magicians continue the tradition of honoring Martin Gardner, who inspired them to enter mathematics, to enter magic, to bring magic into their mathematics, or to bring mathematics into their magic. This edited collection contains a variety of articles connected to puzzles, magic, and/or mathematics, including the history behind given puzzles, solitaire puzzles, two-person games, and mathematically interesting objects. Topics include tangrams, peg solitaire, sodoku, coin-weighing problems, anamorphoses, and more!
Details
ISBN: 978-1-56881-447-6
Format: Hardcover
Pages: approx. 220
This book features a unique approach to the teaching of mathematical logic by putting it in the context of the puzzles and paradoxes of common language and rational thought. It serves as a bridge from the author’s puzzle books to his technical writing in the fascinating field of mathematical logic.
Using the logic of lying and truth-telling, the author introduces the readers to informal reasoning preparing them for the formal study of symbolic logic, from propositional logic to first-order logic, a subject that has many important applications to philosophy, mathematics, and computer science. The book includes a journey through the amazing labyrinths of infinity, which have stirred the imagination of mankind as much, if not more, than any other subject.
ISBN: 978-1-56881-443-8
Format: Hardcover
Pages: approx. 275