Adventures in Group Theory: Rubik's Cube, Merlin's Machine, and Other Mathematical Toys - Rilegato

Joyner, David

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 0801890128 ISBN 13: 9780801890123

Casa editrice: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr, 2009

Riassunto

This updated and revised edition of David Joyner’s entertaining "hands-on" tour of group theory and abstract algebra brings life, levity, and practicality to the topics through mathematical toys.

Joyner uses permutation puzzles such as the Rubik’s Cube and its variants, the 15 puzzle, the Rainbow Masterball, Merlin’s Machine, the Pyraminx, and the Skewb to explain the basics of introductory algebra and group theory. Subjects covered include the Cayley graphs, symmetries, isomorphisms, wreath products, free groups, and finite fields of group theory, as well as algebraic matrices, combinatorics, and permutations.

Featuring strategies for solving the puzzles and computations illustrated using the SAGE open-source computer algebra system, the second edition ofAdventures in Group Theory is perfect for mathematics enthusiasts and for use as a supplementary textbook.

Su questo libro

Recensione:

"Adventures in Group Theory is a tour through the algebra of several 'permutation puzzles'... If you like puzzles, this is a somewhat fun book. If you like algebra, this is a fun book. If you like puzzles and algebra, this is a really fun book."

(MAA Online)

"Joyner has collated all the Rubik lore and integrated it with a self-contained introduction to group theory that equals or, more likely, exceeds what is available in typical dedicated elementary texts."

(Choice)

"Joyner does convey some of the excitement and adventure in picking up knowledge of group theory by trying to understand Rubik's Cube. Enthusiastic students will learn a lot of mathematics from this book."

(American Scientist)

"The book begins with some lecture notes of discrete mathematics and group theory. These theoretical notions are very nicely applied to some practical problems, e.g.: Rubik's cube, Rubik-like puzzle groups, crossing the rubicon, God's algorithm and graphs. The work ends with a rich bibliography and index."

(Zentralblatt Math)

L'autore:

David Joyner is a professor of mathematics at the U.S. Naval Academy. He is coauthor ofApplied Abstract Algebra, also published by Johns Hopkins, and editor of Coding Theory and Cryptography: From Enigma and Geheimschreiber to Quantum Theory.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr
• Data di pubblicazione: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0801890128
• ISBN 13: 9780801890123
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero edizione: 2
• Numero di pagine: 310