When Archimedes discovered the principle of buoyancy, he famously ran through the streets of Syracuse, exclaiming "eureka!" In this work, Donald Benson aims to share the joy of discovery that mathematicians experience when encountering elegant proofs. Rather than serving as a traditional introduction to mathematics, the book invites readers to appreciate the pleasures of mathematical thinking. It features a variety of intriguing conundrums, including Loyd's Fifteen Puzzle, the Petersburg Paradox, the Chaos Game, the Monty Hall Problem, and the Prisoners' Dilemma, alongside numerous mathematical curiosities. Readers will learn about "casting out nines," a method for verifying arithmetic, and explore Russian peasant multiplication, an unconventional yet effective multiplication technique. The book reveals how to calculate the number of ways a chef can combine ten or fewer spices (1,024) and the number of people needed in a room for a 50-50 chance of two sharing a birthday (23). Most importantly, Benson guides us through these mathematical wonders step by step, allowing us to arrive at solutions in a manner akin to a working scientist, complete with surprise and delight. Fans of mathematical puzzles and anyone interested in mathematics or scientific discovery will find this book captivating.
Donald C. Benson Reihenfolge der Bücher (Chronologisch)
