The Puzzles. The Hints. 1. Out for the Count. 2. Achieving Parity. 3. Intermediate Math. 4. Graphography. 5. Algebra Too. 6. Safety in Numbers. 7. The Law of Small Numbers. 8. Weighs and Means. 9. The Power of Negative Thinking. 10. In All Probability. 11. Working for the System. 12. The Pigeonhole Principle. 13. Information, Please. 14. Great Expectation. 15. Brilliant Induction. 16. Journey Into Space. 17. Nimbers and the Hamming Code. 18. Unlimited Potentials. 19. Hammer and Tongs. 20. Let's Get Physical. 21. Back from the Future. 22. Seeing is Believing. 23. Infinite Choice. 24. Startling Transformation. Notes & Sources
Peter Winkler is the William Morrill Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Dartmouth College, and for 2019 - 2020, the Distinguished Visiting Professor for the Public Dissemination of Mathematics at the National Museum of Mathematics. He is the author of 160 research papers, a dozen patents, two previous puzzle books, a book on cryptographic techniques in the game of bridge, and a portfolio of compositions for ragtime piano.
"This is the greatest collection of puzzles I’ve encountered, and
is excellent reading for all ages of mathematically minded
individuals from teenagers through experienced researchers. Whoever
you are, do not expect to solve them all!
Peter Winkler’s excellent taste in puzzles comes through in both
his selection and his presentation. Many puzzles are framed in a
mini-story with captivating language or characters; and there are a
few non-mathematical teasers thrown in. [. . . ] Thank you, Peter,
for assembling this magnificent potpourri!"
– CMS Notes"This book may well be the best collection of
mind-stretching teasers ever assembled. You can't help but be
inspired, when Peter winks at you."
– Donald E. Knuth, Emeritus Professor at Stanford University and
winner of Turing Award"A fantastic collection of mathematical
puzzles! The clever, elegant, and surprising solutions should bring
a sense of wonder and pleasure to all mathematicians."
– Richard Stanley, Emeritus Professor of Applied Mathematics,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology"Peter Winkler is a wizard! He
transforms the latest results in mathematics and computer science
into enticing puzzles. The solutions are Eureka moments for
all."
– Joel H. Spencer, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science,
Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences "This is the third and
by far the most substantial of Peter Winkler's books on
mathematical puzzles, drawing from everyday life and from a wide
spectrum of mathematical topics. Mathematics' answer to Ripley's
Believe It or Not, Peter brings out the romantic side of
mathematics rather than its utilitarian side. It is sincerely hoped
that his trilogy will contain more than three volumes."
– Andy Liu, Emeritus Professor at University of Alberta "This is an
incredible collection of puzzles. While many books claim to be `for
all levels', here it is really true: the range of problems is truly
remarkable. There are simple ones for teens and pre-teens, right up
toones for grown-ups. I do not know any book with such a spread.A
particular feature of the book is that its easiest problems, aimed
say at youngsters, are so attractive. Thus for example each of
`Phone Call' and `Winning at Wimbledon' are surprising and clever.
And then there are problems like `Watermelons', where the
calculation is easy but the result itself is very unexpected
indeed. Such interest is rare among easy problems, and this feature
by itself would make this a must-buy.At the other end of the scale,
there are problems like 'Alternating Powers' that lead on to some
very deep mathematics. All of the book is written in Peter
Winkler's trademark fun and chatty style."
– Imre Leader, Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University
"Peter Winkler’s collection of attractive puzzles will appeal to
readers at all levels. Many famous puzzles are discussed, but there
are also new and attractive problems that readers will surely not
be familiar with. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly
recommend to those with an interest in the best that modern
puzzling has to offer."
– Stan Wagon, Macalester College, author of Which Way Did the
Bicycle Go? and Bicycle or Unicycle? "This is a beautiful
collection of mathematical puzzles, followed by hints and
solutions. No advanced mathematics is necessary, and yet many of
the puzzles are truly challenging, even for a professional
mathematician. Peter Winkler has led a Year of Puzzles at the
National Museum of Mathematics in New York. His superb exposition
ensures that while reading the book and trying to solve the puzzles
you will have hours of fun, intrigue, joy and enlightenment."
– Noga Alon, Princeton University"Anyone, from novice to expert,
with an interest in math or puzzles should have this book. The
puzzles are artfully chosen and lucidly explained in a way that
will boost the math IQ of readers at any level. As a reader with a
lifelong interest in recreational math I was delighted with these
superb puzzles with many surprises, elegant solutions and detailed
information on their origins."
– Dick Hess, author of Golf on the Moon and other puzzle
books"Great problems teach us to delight in thinking, and this rich
assortment will reward all who dare look at them with hours of
enchantment and surprise."
– Francis Su, author of Mathematics for Human Flourishing "A rare
puzzle collection that ranges from funny riddles all the way into
current mathematics research, sometimes within one and the same
puzzle!"
– Johan Wästlund, researcher at Chalmers University of Technology
and the recipient of the Göran Gustafsson Prize by Royal Swedish
Academy of Sciences"Peter Winkler has an extraordinary taste for
mathematical puzzles. Each puzzle in his new book is a gem, which
makes the book a real treasure chest."
– Tanya Khovanova, Massachusetts Institute of Technology"On
average, who has more sisters, men or women? When a coin is rolled
once around another one of equal size, with no slipping, how many
times does it rotate? How can you get a 50-50 decision by flipping
a bent coin? If you enjoy challenges like these, you will be
enthralled by this latest collection of delightful dazzlers from
Peter Winkler. From old classics to new gems, wrestling with these
brain ticklers will provide many weeks of fun and ‘Aha!’ moments.
Warning: these are addictive, and you'll need to use a magic
combination of skill, intuition and insight to solve them all!"
– Colm Mulcahy, Professor of Mathematics at Spelman College and
author of Mathematical Card Magic: Fifty-Two New Effects"Peter
Winkler's Mathematical Puzzles is thought-provoking, and I fell in
love with the puzzles. Their level ranges from questions for smart
high-school students to rudiments of research problems for serious
mathematicians. I was charmed by the bar trivia sprinkled here and
there on top of respectable mathematics. This book is an ideal
companion to pack in the vacation luggage for anyone interested in
mathematics: it is bound to keep them entertained for hours."
– Vašek Chvátal, Emeritus Professor at Concordia University"Peter
Winkler is the puzzle master’s puzzle master: a serious
mathematician not only with exquisite taste in what makes for a
great puzzle but who also has an unrivalled elegance of delivery
and clarity of explication. This book presents the crown jewels of
mathematical puzzledom and will bring hours of joy - and pain! - to
all curious and playful minds."
– Alex Bellos, author of Alex's Adventures in Numberland "An
absolute 'must' for personal, professional, college, and university
library Advanced Mathematics collections and supplemental
curriculum studies lists, Mathematical Puzzles is an
extraordinarily elegant compendium of mathematically based puzzles
and an unreservedly recommended acquisition selection."
– Midwest Book Review
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