Recreations in the Theory of Numbers (Dover Recreational Math)

Beiler, Albert H.

ISBN 10: 0486210960 / ISBN 13: 9780486210964

Editore: Dover Publications, 1964

Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Codice articolo H05K-01233

Riassunto:

Number theory, the Queen of Mathematics, is an almost purely theoretical science. Yet it can be the source of endlessly intriguing puzzle problems, as this remarkable book demonstrates. This is the first book to deal exclusively with the recreational aspects of the subject and it is certain to be a delightful surprise to all devotees of the mathematical puzzle, from the rawest beginner to the most practiced expert. Almost every aspect of the theory of numbers that could conceivably be of interest to the layman is dealt with, all from the recreational point of view. Readers will become acquainted with divisors, perfect numbers, the ingenious invention of congruences by Gauss, scales of notation, endless decimals, Pythagorean triangles (there is a list of the first 100 with consecutive legs; the 100th has a leg of 77 digits), oddities about squares, methods of factoring, mysteries of prime numbers, Gauss's Golden Theorem, polygonal and pyramidal numbers, the Pell Equation, the unsolved Last Theorem of Fermat, and many other aspects of number theory, simply by learning how to work with them in solving hundreds of mathematical puzzle problems. The text is extremely clear and easy to follow, and it bears convincing evidence of the author's deep sense of humor and his outstanding ability to lure the reader through even the most difficult trails by skillfully revealing their fascination. The problems distributed throughout the book are explained in the final chapter and there is also a supplementary chapter containing 100 problems and their solutions, many original. There are over 100 tables.

The appeal of these stimulating puzzles lies in their ready comprehensibility and the fact that only high school math is needed to master the fundamental theory presented by the author. This theory is itself interesting and of use to the more serious math student, but it may be omitted by lay readers without diminishing the book's challenge or detracting from the pleasure-giving nuggets it contains.

Contenuti: Presentation at Court Divisors for Diversion Perfection Just Between Friends Invention of the Master Open Sesame The Cup of Tantalus Digits--and the Magic of 9 Scales and Discords Cycling Towards Infinity 11111 ... 111 phi--Fie--Fo--Fum Queer Logs--Back to the Primitive The Eternal Triangle On the Square Farey Tails Round the Perimeter Ball Games Theorema Aureum Among the Himalayas Resolution The Pellian Morphology The Stone Wall Tilts and Tourneys The Queen Explains: Solutions to Problems Index

Dati bibliografici

Titolo: Recreations in the Theory of Numbers (Dover ...
Casa editrice: Dover Publications
Data di pubblicazione: 1964
Legatura: Brossura
Condizione: Very Good
Edizione: seconda edizione