The Liar Paradox and the Towers of Hanoi : The Ten Greatest Math Puzzles of All Time

I have been fascinated with puzzles ever since my teens;which is now over 60 years ago.The term "puzzles" covers such a field,that I was really impressed with this book.When I first started,the first puzzle I came across was "The 15 Puzzle;then later "The Towers of Hanoi".And that was only the start of what became a lifelong interest in searching for new puzzles and books on puzzles. Although the reason the author set upon writing this book was to explain the association of ,and the mathematics involved ,with puzzles;he also did something else at the same time.He shows what the whole world of Puzzles and Mathetical Recreations is all about by taking what he calls "The Ten Greatest Math Puzzles of All Times",explaining them,then expanding on them to show how so many other puzzles stem from them.I have collected somewhere between 6 and 7 hundred puzzle books over the years,many of which the author references,and I have to say,that this book does as good as any I have ever come across ,in explaining what the whole fascination of "Recreational Mathematics" is all about. It was eye opening years ago to find good books on this subject,even harder to find puzzles.Jigsaw and Crossword were common,but little else.Then I found Mathematical Games in "Scientific American;"which led me to many other things.Now,with the "Net" the whole world of Puzzles and books of Puzzles and Mathematical Recreations opens up a pletora of things for the puzzler. This book has something for everyone,whether it is Riddles,Paradoxes,River-Crossing Puzzles,Map Coloring Problems,Optical Illusions,Mazes,Magic Squares,etc.,a neophyte or someone who has been interested in puzzles for years;will find lots new and interesting here.As an example,I became fascinated with Magic Squares while in University.I learned a method to complete any odd-order Magic Square;but try as I may,I could never "crack" even-order ones.I asked the head of the Math Department if he ever tried. A few days later he handed me notes on how to do it--I was thrilled.I was thrilled once again when in this book ,what did I find but a Magic Cube!! Although this is an excellent book in all respects and will give anyone interested in puzzles a lot of enjoyment,and there are along with everything else, 72 challenging puzzles with detailed answers,all kinds of related references for further reading,and a good Glossary;there are two things I would like to mention.For many years ,it was believed that Sam Loyd invented the "15 Puzzle";and it is stated so here in 2004.Jerry Slocum and Dic Sonneveld wrote an excellent book,"The 15 Puzzle" in 2006 which proved that Sam Loyd didn't invent it after all. That just goes to show there's always something new in puzzles.The other comment I have ,is that I'm surprised that the Tanram was not chosen as one of the "greatest". However,with so many to choose from;it's almost like trying to pick the greatest song or the greatest of anything;but I must admit;the authors choice is his perogative ,and as good as any. Ever Since The Sphinx Asked His Legendary Riddle Of Oedipus, Paradoxes, Conundrums, And Puzzles Of All Kinds Have Kept Humankind Perplexed And Amused. Why Is This So? What Do Puzzles Reveal About The Human Mind? Do They Have Implications For The Study Of Mathematics? The Liar Paradox And The Towers Of Hanoi Answers These Questions, Taking You On An Interactive Tour Of The World's Most Enduringly Intriguing Brain Twisters -- Ingenious Puzzles That Have Played A Pivotal Role In Shaping Mathematical History. Marcel Danesi Introduces You To Ten Masterpieces, Explaining The Math Behind Them And Including Exercises And Answers -- As Well As The Chance To Try Your Hand At Similar Puzzles. As You Navigate The Maze Of Labyrinths, Bridges, Maps, And Baffling Problems, You'll See How Certain Ideas In Mathematics Originated In The Form Of Puzzles, From Optical Illusions To Sequences To Impossibility Theory. From Die-hard Puzzle Mavens To Math Aficionados, This Kaleidoscope Of Conundrums Is Sure To Enlighten, Entertain, And Impress. The Riddle Of The Sphinx -- Alcuin's River-crossing Puzzle -- Fibonacci's Rabbit Puzzle -- Euler's Königsberg Bridges Puzzle -- Guthrie's Four-color Problem -- Lucas's Towers Of Hanoi Puzzle -- Loyd's Get Off The Earth Puzzle -- Epimenides' Liar Paradox -- The Lo Shu Magic Square -- The Cretan Labyrinth -- Answers And Explanations. Marcel Danesi. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. A walk through history's most mind-boggling puzzles
Ever since the Sphinx asked his legendary riddle of Oedipus, riddles, conundrums, and puzzles of all sizes have kept humankind perplexed and amused. The Liar Paradox and the Towers of Hanoi takes die-hard puzzle mavens on a tour of the world's most enduringly intriguing braintwisters, from K?nigsberg's Bridges and the Hanoi Towers to Fibonacci's Rabbits, the Four Color Problem, and the Magic Square. Each chapter introduces the basic puzzle, discusses the mathematics behind it, and includes exercises and answers plus additional puzzles similar to the one under discussion. Here is a veritable kaleidoscope of puzzling labyrinths, maps, bridges, and optical illusions that will keep aficionados entertained for hours.
Marcel Danesi (Etobicoke, ON, Canada) is the author of Increase Your Puzzle IQ A walk through history's most mind-boggling puzzles Ever since the Sphinx asked his legendary riddle of Oedipus, riddles, conundrums, and puzzles of all sizes have kept humankind perplexed and amused. The Liar Paradox and the Towers of Hanoi takes die-hard puzzle mavens on a tour of the world's most enduringly intriguing braintwisters, from Knigsberg's Bridges and the Hanoi Towers to Fibonacci's Rabbits, the Four Color Problem, and the Magic Square. Each chapter introduces the basic puzzle, discusses the mathematics behind it, and includes exercises and answers plus additional puzzles similar to the one under discussion. Here is a veritable kaleidoscope of puzzling labyrinths, maps, bridges, and optical illusions that will keep aficionados entertained for hours. Marcel Danesi (Etobicoke, ON, Canada) is the author of Increase Your Puzzle IQ . A walk through history's most mind-boggling puzzles Ever since the Sphinx asked his legendary riddle of Oedipus, riddles, conundrums, and puzzles of all sizes have kept humankind perplexed and amused. The Liar Paradox and the Towers of Hanoi takes die-hard puzzle mavens on a tour of the world's most enduringly intriguing braintwisters, from Königsberg's Bridges and the Hanoi Towers to Fibonacci's Rabbits, the Four Color Problem, and the Magic Square. Each chapter introduces the basic puzzle, discusses the mathematics behind it, and includes exercises and answers plus additional puzzles similar to the one under discussion. Here is a veritable kaleidoscope of puzzling labyrinths, maps, bridges, and optical illusions that will keep aficionados entertained for hours. Marcel Danesi (Etobicoke, ON, Canada) is the author of Increase Your Puzzle IQ "Ever since the Sphinx asked his legendary riddle of Oedipus, riddles, conundrums, and puzzles of all sizes have kept humankind perplexed and amused. The Liar Paradox and the Towers of Hanoi takes die-hard puzzle mavens on a tour of the world's most enduringly intriguing braintwisters, from Königsberg's Bridges and the Hanoi Towers to Fibonacci's Rabbits, the Four Color Problem, and the Magic Square. Each chapter introduces the basic puzzle, discusses the mathematics behind it, and includes exercises and answers plus additional puzzles similar to the one under discussion. Here is a veritable kaleidoscope of puzzling labyrinths, maps, bridges, and optical illusions that will keep aficionados entertained for hours"--Provided by publisher The Liar Paradox AND THE Towers of Hanoi THE 10 GREATEST MATH PUZZLES OF ALL TIME......Page 4 CONTENTS......Page 8 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1 The Riddle of the Sphinx......Page 16 2 Alcuin’s River-Crossing Puzzle......Page 38 3 Fibonacci’s Rabbit Puzzle......Page 58 4 Euler’s Königsberg Bridges Puzzle......Page 78 5 Guthrie’s Four-Color Problem......Page 96 6 Lucas’s Towers of Hanoi Puzzle......Page 116 7 Loyd’s Get Off the Earth Puzzle......Page 136 8 Epimenides’ Liar Paradox......Page 152 9 The Lo Shu Magic Square......Page 170 10 The Cretan Labyrinth......Page 188 ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS......Page 202 GLOSSARY......Page 248 INDEX......Page 254 IF WE VISIT THE CITY OF GIZA in Egypt today, we cannot help but be overwhelmed by the massive sculpture known as the Great Sphinx, a creature with the head and the breasts of a woman, the body of a lion, the tail of a serpent, and the wings of a bird.