Math Tricks Brain Twisters And Puzzles by (Bookzcity)

Further Details About This Book:

Puzzles seem to have beguiled men in every civilization, and
the staples of scientific entertainment are certain historic problems
which have perplexed and diverted men for centuries.
Besides a number of these, this book contains many problems
never before published. Indeed, the majority of the problems
have been devised by me or have been developed out of
suggestions from readers or friends.
This book represents only a relatively small selection from
an inexhaustible reservoir of material. Its purpose is to satisfy
not only mathematically educated and gifted readers but also
those who are on less good terms with mathematics but consider
cudgeling their brains a useful pastime. Many puzzles are
therefore included, especially in the first chapters, which do
not require even a pencil for their solution, let alone algebraic
formulas. The majority of the problems chosen, however, will
appeal to the puzzle lover who has not yet forgotten the elements
of arithmetic he learned in high school. And finally,
those who really enjoy the beauties of mathematics will find
plenty of problems to rack their brains and test their knowledge
and ingenuity in such chapters as, for example, "Whimsical
Numbers" and "Playing with Squares"
The puzzles in this book are classified into groups so that
the reader with pronounced tastes may easily find his meat.
Those familiar with mathematical entertainment may miss
certain all-too-well-known types, such as the famous magic
squares. I believe, however, that branches of mathematical
entertainment which have long since developed into special
sciences belong only in books that set out to treat them
exhaustively. Here we must pass them by, if only for reasons
of space. Nor have geometrical problems been included.
Lack of space has also made it impossible to present every
solution fully. In a great many instances, every step of reasoning,
mathematical and other, is shown; in others, only the
major steps are indicated; in others still, just the results are
given. But in every single class of problems, enough detailed
solutions are developed and enough hints and clues offered
to show the reader his way when he comes to grips with those
problems for which only answers are given without proof. I
hope that with the publication of this book I have attained
two objectives: to provide friends of mathematics with many
hours of entertainment, and to help some of the myriads who
since their school days have been dismayed by everything
mathematical to overcome their horror of figures.
I also take this opportunity of thanking Mr. Andre Lion for
the valuable help he has extended me in the compilation of
the book.