Mage Merlin's Unsolved Mathematical Mysteries

Mage Merlin's Unsolved Mathematical Mysteries
Matt Harvey, Satyan Devadoss
RRP:
NZ$ 30.00
Our Price:
NZ$ 24.00
Paperback
h229 x 152mm - 120pg
24 Aug 2021 US
International import eta 7-19 days
9780262542753
Out Of Stock
Currently no stock in-store, stock is sourced to your order
Sixteen of today' s greatest unsolved mathematical puzzles in a story-driven, illustrated volume that invites readers to peek over the edge of the unknown. Most people think of mathematics as a set of useful tools designed to answer analytical questions, beginning with simple arithmetic and ending with advanced calculus. But, as Mage Merlin' s Unsolved Mathematical Mysteries shows, mathematics is filled with intriguing mysteries that take us to the edge of the unknown. This richly illustrated, story-driven volume presents sixteen of today' s greatest unsolved mathematical puzzles, all understandable by anyone with elementary math skills. These intriguing mysteries are presented to readers as puzzles that have time-traveled from Camelot, preserved in the notebook of Merlin, the wise magician in King Arthur' s court. Our guide is Mage Maryam (named in honor of the brilliant young mathematician, the late Maryam Mirzakhani), a distant descendant of Merlin. Maryam introduces the mysteries--each of which is presented across two beautifully illustrated pages--and provides mathematical and historical context afterward. We find Merlin confronting mathematical puzzles involving tinker toys (a present for Camelot' s princesses from the sorceress Morgana), cake-slicing at a festival, Lancelot' s labyrinth, a vault for the Holy Grail, and more. Each mystery is a sword awaiting removal from its stone, capturing the beauty and power of mathematics.
This book is wonderfully unique -- an irresistible call to join the quest for the treasures of mathematics. - TaiDanae Bradley, coauthor of Topology: A Categorical Approach and creator of the math blog Math3maAn elegant, charming collection of 16 mathematical jewels: problems so simple they can be explained in a single page, yet so hard they can' t be solved in a single century. - Ben Orlin, author of Math with Bad Drawings and Change is the Only Constant: The Wisdom of Calculus in a Madcap WorldTaste the sweet enchantment of this medley of unsolved problems. Some are classical, and some are less well known, but all are easy to understand, because the authors have recast them in novel ways to entice both new and seasoned mathematical explorers. Devadoss and Harvey will captivate the mathematical yearning within each one of us. - Francis Su, Professor of Mathematics, Harvey Mudd College; Former President, Mathematical Association of America; author of Mathematics for Human FlourishingThis is a fun and delightfully illustrated text covering a wide range of accessible topics from the recreational to the unsolved. Each is presented as a mystery (as all good mathematics is!), spanning geometry, combinatorics, number theory, and beyond. A dedicated reader will derive great satisfaction from wrestling with the challenges presented here. - Alex Kontorovich, Professor of Mathematics, Rutgers University; Dean of Academic Content, National Museum of Mathematics This unique book will charm and delight mathematical explorers of all ages with its beautiful illustrations, captivating story, and unsolved mathematical challenges that range from geometry to number theory and more. -- Forbes
Satyan Linus Devadoss is the Fletcher Jones Professor of Applied Mathematics and Professor of Computer Science at the University of San Diego. A recipient of two national teaching awards, he has published on topics ranging from origami and cartography to phylogenetics and particle collisions. Matthew Harvey is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Virginia' s College at Wise and the author of the textbook Geometry Illuminated.
Status: Active
ISBN-13: 9780262542753
Published: 24 Aug 2021
Published In: United States
Imprint: MIT Press
Publisher: MIT Press
Format: Paperback
Height: 229mm
Width: 152mm
Pages: 120

In stock - for items in stock we aim to dispatch the next business day. For delivery in NZ allow 2-5 business days, with rural taking a wee bit longer.

Locally sourced in NZ - stock comes from a NZ supplier with an approximate delivery of 7-15 business days.

International Imports - stock is imported into NZ, depending on air or sea shipping option from the international supplier stock can take 10-30 working days to arrive into NZ. 

Pre-order Titles - delivery will vary depending on where the title is published, if local stock is available in NZ then 5-7 business days, for international imports it can be 10-30 business days. In all cases we will access the quickest supply option.

Delivery Packaging - we ship all items in cardboard sleeves or by box with either packing paper or corn starch chips. (We avoid using plastics bubble bags)

Tracking - Orders are delivered by track and trace courier and are fully insured, tracking information will be sent by email once dispatched.

View our full Order & Delivery information