The indisputable existence of Santa Claus : the mathematics of Christmas

How do you apply game theory to select who should be on your Christmas shopping list? What equations should you use to decorate the Christmas tree? Will calculations show Santa is getting steadily thinner—shimmying up and down chimneys for a whole night—or fatter—as he munches on cookies and milk in billions of houses across the world? In The Indisputable Existence of Santa Claus , distinguished mathematicians Hannah Fry and Thomas Oléron Evans demonstrate, with eminently readable clarity, how applied mathematics are so thoroughly interwoven throughout our everyday lives by explaining mathematical concepts through one very merry motif: Christmas. In their quest to provide mathematical proof for the existence of Santa, the authors take readers on a festive journey through a traditional holiday season, wherein every activity, from wrapping presents to playing board games to cooking the perfect turkey, is painstakingly and hilariously analyzed. Because who hasn’t always wondered how to set up a mathematically perfect Secret Santa? Lighthearted and diverting with Christmasy diagrams, sketches and graphs, equations, Markov chains, and matrices, The Indisputable Existence of Santa Claus brightens up the bleak midwinter with stockingsful of mathematical marvels. ____________ How do you apply game theory to select who should be on your Christmas shopping list ? Can you predict Her Majesty's Christmas Message? Will calculations show Santa is getting steadily thinner - shimmying up and down chimneys for a whole night - or fatter - as he tucks into a mince pie and a glass of sherry in billions of houses across the world? Full of diagrams, sketches and graphs, beautiful equations, Markov chains and matrices, The Indisputable Existence of Santa Claus brightens up the bleak midwinter with stockingfuls of mathematical marvels. And proves once and for all that maths isn't just for old men with white hair and beards who associate with elves. Maths has never been merrier. NOW WITH A BRAND NEW CHAPTER How do you apply game theory to select who should be on your Christmas shopping list? Can you predict Her Majesty's Christmas Message? Will calculations show Santa is getting steadily thinner - shimmying up and down chimneys for a whole night - or fatter - as he tucks into a mince pie and a glass of sherry in billions of houses across the world? Full of diagrams, sketches and graphs, beautiful equations, Markov chains and matrices, "The indisputable existence of Santa Claus" brightens up the bleak midwinter with stockingfuls of mathematiccal marvels. And proves once and for all that maths isn't just for old men with white hair and beards who associate with elves. Maths has never been merrier "In The indisputable existence of Santa Claus, mathematicians Hannah Fry and Thomas Oléron Evans take readers on a festive journey through the pitfalls of a traditional holiday season. Lighthearted and diverting, and brimming with Christmassy diagrams, sketches and graphs, equations, Markov chains, and matrices, The indisputable existence of Santa Claus brightens up the bleak midwinter with stockingsful of mathematical marvels. Math has never been merrier."--Back cover. How do you apply game theory to select who should be on your Christmas shopping list? Can you predict Her Majesty's Christmas Message? Full of diagrams, sketches and graphs, equations, Markov chains and matrices, this book intends to brighten up the bleak midwinters with lots of mathematical marvels. Dr Hannah Fry & Dr Thomas Oléron Evans. Includes Bibliographical References.