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The Mathematical Coloring Book

By Alexander Soifer

The Mathematical Coloring Book

By Alexander Soifer

0 - Default Title
Description
This is a unique type of book; at least, I have never encountered a book of this kind. The best description of it I can give is that it is a mystery novel, developing on three levels, and imbued with both educational and philosophical/moral issues. If this summary description does not help understanding the particular character and allure of the book, possibly a more detailed explanation will be found useful. One of the primary goals of the author is to interest readers¿in particular, young mathematiciansorpossiblypre-mathematicians¿inthefascinatingworldofelegant and easily understandable problems, for which no particular mathematical kno- edge is necessary, but which are very far from being easily solved. In fact, the prototype of such problems is the following: If each point of the plane is to be given a color, how many colors do we need if every two points at unit distance are to receive distinct colors? More than half a century ago it was established that the least number of colorsneeded for such a coloring is either 4, or 5, or 6 or 7. Well, which is it? Despite efforts by a legion of very bright people¿many of whom developed whole branches of mathematics and solved problems that seemed much harder¿not a single advance towards the answer has been made. This mystery, and scores of other similarly simple questions, form one level of mysteries explored. In doing this, the author presents a whole lot of attractive results in an engaging way, and with increasing level of depth.
Product details
Edition:
1
Number of Pages:
607
Release Date:
2008-11-11
Publication Date:
2008-11-11
Publisher:
Springer London
Languages:
Original: English
ISBN10:
0387746404
ISBN13:
9780387746401
Weight:
1115 g
Height:
160 cm
Width:
241 cm
Thickness:
40 cm
Preview Link:
http://www.blickinsbuch.de/viewer/cm/access.php?djMxNTY9NDIwMzQ1MjgxNyZ2NzM3Nj05NzgwMzg3NzQ2NDAx
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