The Shoelace Book: A Mathematical Guide to the Best (And Worst) Ways to Lace Your Shoes (Mathematical World) (Mathematical World, 24)

Crisscross, zigzag, bowtie, devil, angel, or star: which are the longest, the shortest, the strongest, and the weakest lacings? Pondering the mathematics of shoelaces, the author paints a vivid picture of the simple, beautiful, and surprising characterizations of the most common shoelace patterns. The mathematics involved is an attractive mix of combinatorics and elementary calculus. This book will be enjoyed by mathematically minded people for as long as there are shoes to lace. Burkard Polster is a well-known mathematical juggler, magician, origami expert, bubble-master, shoelace charmer, and'Count von Count'impersonator. His previous books include A Geometrical Picture Book, The Mathematics of Juggling, and QED: Beauty in Mathematical Proof. Crisscross, zigzag, bowtie, devil, angel, or star: which are the longest, the shortest, the strongest, and the weakest lacings? Pondering the mathematics of shoelaces, the author paints a vivid picture of the simple, beautiful, and surprising characterizations of the most common shoelace patterns. The mathematics involved is an attractive mix of combinatorics and elementary calculus. This book will be enjoyed by mathematically minded people for as long as there are shoes to lace. Table of contents: * Setting the stage * One-column lacings * Counting lacings * The shortest lacings * Variations on the shortest lacing problem * The longest lacings * The strongest lacings * The weakest lacings * Related mathematics * Loose ends (history, shoelace superstitions, questions of style, fashion, what is the best way to lace your shoes, foot problems and lacings, what is the best way to tie your shoelaces?) Crisscross, zigzag, bowtie, devil, angel, or star: which are the longest, the shortest, the strongest, and the weakest lacings? This book presents the mathematics of shoelaces which is a mix of combinatorics and elementary calculus. Burkard Polster. Includes bibliographical references (p. [121]-122) and index.